Posts Tagged: "Father Julius Nieuwland"

Evolution of Technology: Butyl rubber puts Sparks, Thomas into National Inventors Hall of Fame

William Sparks and Robert Thomas were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame earlier this year for inventing butyl rubber, which was patented on August 22, 1944. Starks and Thomas mixed Vistanex with a small amount of butadiene in a washing machine. When the spin cycle concluded they were left with the first batch of butyl rubber which the world has ever seen. Compared to other synthetic rubbers, butyl rubber offered a similar strength and flexibility to natural rubber. It could be used in low-temperature settings without cracking and its high impermeability to air and gases made it a good solution as an airtight sealant.