ARTIFICIAL RUBBER.

Mataura Ensign, 17 April 1912, Page 7

ARTIFICIAL RUBBER.

According to all accounts M. Ostromislensky, a young and distinguished professor of chemistry ?.t the Imperial Technical School of Moscow, has solved the problem of making artificial rubber. When studying the properties of benzol he found a substance the structure of which closely resembled rubber, and acting upon that discovery he has synthetically produced what is said to be a perfect substitute for natural rubber. Ultra-violet rays play a considerable part in the process. The elasticity and resilience of the new substance are described as equal to rubber, and the price is 46s a pood (361bs). The discovery lias caused a great sensation in the rubber industry. The Russian and foreign rights have been acquired by Count Tatistcheff, head of the United Bank and of the Bogatir Rubber Company. This is not the first time that synthetical rubber has been said to be chemically produced. I have interviewed Professor Fedoroff, a former headmaster of the Imperial Technical School and president of the Society for Assisting Experimental Science, in regard.to M. Ostromislensky's claim that he has solved the problem of making a substitute for rubber (wrote the Moscow correspondent of the 'Daily Mai!'). Professor Fedorofi said that M. Ostromislensky is not a professor, but a very competent laboratory assistant. He applied to the society for assistance and the committee decided that the importance of the issue warranted them in granting his request. M. Ostromislensky only claims to have mado a substitute for vulcanised rubber, but he has nob yet demonstrated to anyone the pvactiability of his invention.