Rubber bands: practical, convenient... entertaining!

Rubber bands are normally made by extruding the rubber into long tubes to provide its general shape, curing the rubber with heat, and then slicing it across the width of the tube into little bands. Machine called the "Masticator" allows rubber to be softened, mixed, and shaped.
Natural rubber originates from the sap of the rubber tree in the Amazon jungle. Natural rubber is made from latex acquired by tapping into the bark layers of the rubber tree. Once the latex has been “tapped” and is exposed to the air it begins to harden and become elastic. Rubber trees survive only in hot, humid climates near the equator. Majority of latex is therefore produced in the Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Did you know... ?

Refrigerating rubber bands makes them last longer!

75% of today's rubber is synthetic and made from crude oil.

The first rubber band was patented in 1845 by Stephen Perry, who owned a manufacturing company in London.

The Guinness Book of World Records certified the largest rubber band ball in 2008. It was built in Florida, weighed more than 9000 lbs. and stood over 6 feet tall.

In recent years, people have begun wearing rubber bands as bracelets. Different colour along with a message printed on it shows support for a particular cause or group.