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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Goodyear, Charles (1800-1860) to Benjamin Silliman

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02480.09 Author/Creator: Goodyear, Charles (1800-1860) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 August 1842 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 26.2 x 20.8 cm. Order a Copy

Sends Silliman, chemistry professor at Yale, enclosed examples (not included) of his improvements in gum elastic. Claims that "the elastic articles will not loose their elastic quality by age or by use."

Charles Goodyear is credited with the invention and successful application of vulcanized rubber. This note may have been written while his experiments on the substance were still underway.

New York 20th August 1842
Proff Silliman
Dear Sir
Will you please accept of the inclosed article which are of my most recent Improvements
I dare say you will be willing to hear that I have completed my work have done with Experiments & feel quite satisfied that I have attained at last some degree of perfection in the quality the gum.
It is proved to the satisfaction of many that these Elastic Articles will not loose their Elastic quality by age or by use, please let me hear what you think of the shoes[?] as regards Odor I remain Yours truly
Charles Goodyear
100 Broadway
New York

Goodyear, Charles, 1800-1860
Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864

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