Who invented the eraser rubber

Novelty erasers, which are modeled as other objects or figurines are often made from hard vinyl which does not erase too well. Today we have erasers of different types, not just shapes. The only problem is as with old erasers that they crumble why doing so and their residue has to be removed. This is often done with a broad brush. It does not leave behind eraser residue like art gum eraser, and because of the lasts longer, but it loses its efficacy and resilience because particles that it erases stay inside it.

Kneaded eraser can be shaped into a fine point to erase small details; it can be shaped into a larger surface and work as a stamp, and it can work as a blotter to lighten a darker area covered with graphite. They cannot erase larger areas because they deform while rubbing.

Thus, yep, a "rubber. In Britain, erasers themselves are still often called "rubbers. Erasers don't just work manually; they work chemically. Pencils work because, when they are put to paper, their graphite mingles with the fiber particles that comprise the paper.

And erasers work, in turn, because the polymers that make them up are stickier than the particles of paper—so graphite particles end up getting stuck to the eraser instead. They're almost like sticky magnets. Pencils with built-in erasers on the tops are a largely American phenomenon. Most pencils sold in Europe are eraser-less. Read into that cultural difference what you will.

Many erasers contain volcanic ash. Those ubiquitous pink erasers, in particular—the pencil-toppers and Pink Pearls of the world— make use of pulverized pumice to add abrasiveness. Just as rubber eraser, inventions contests existed centuries ago. And Edward Nairne developed the later first widely marketed rubber eraser just for that contest. It was a great success and a renowned scientist Joseph Priestley wrote a footnote that same year, saying the substance used "excellently adapted to the purpose of wiping from paper the mark of black-lead-pencil.

By the word rubber came to be popularly used for an eraser since the word rubber itself was in general use for any object used for rubbing. Nairne sold these natural rubber erasers for the high price of three shillings per half-inch cube. Do you have an idea we can help you with? Submit it. The eraser crumbled when used and perished in time. It was sensitive to weather conditions as well imagine it metling in the summer and it smelled quite bad. A man, called Charles Goodyear solved this problem 49 years after the first invention, in He cured the rubber with a method, called vulcanization.

Invention contests are a great way to make your ideas come to life. Check out our contest here. It was also used to make footwear and bottles by pouring the liquid form on earthen molds and allowing it to dry.

In , the French scientist Charles de la Condamine described a substance known as caoutchouc and sent samples to Europe. Caoutchouc was derived from a fluid produced under the bark of a tree found in tropical areas of the New World. This milky liquid, known as latex, is still used to make natural rubber.

Caoutchouc was first suggested for use as an eraser in the Proceedings of the French Academy in , probably by Jean de Magellan. In , the English scientist Joseph Priestley suggested that caoutchouc be named rubber, because of its ability to rub away pencil marks. He also told readers of his book Familiar Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Perspective where to purchase "a cubical piece, of about half an inch, for three shillings. Until the late nineteenth century, pencils and erasers were always separate.

In , Hyman Lipman of Philadelphia patented a pencil with a groove in the tip, into which an eraser was glued. By the early s, the Faber company made pencils with attached erasers. The United States Supreme Court determined that the idea of combining a pencil with an eraser could not be patented.

The reason for this decision was the fact that combining the pencil and the eraser did not change the function of either. This decision opened the way for numerous companies to make pencils with erasers.

In , a hollow eraser, into which a pencil could be inserted, was invented by J. Blair of Philadelphia. Earlier versions are also known to have existed. In , the Eagle company made pencils with erasers inserted directly into the wooden case of the pencil. Other companies soon made similar pencils, which became known as penny pencils because they were inexpensive. The availability of pencils with attached erasers in schoolrooms was at first controversial.

It was believed that the ability to correct errors easily would make students careless. Despite this concern, pencils with erasers were extremely popular. Pencils without erasers are somewhat more common in Europe.