Rubberised Leather.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 May 1906, Page 179

Rubberised Leather.

What is probably destined to prove a most important discovery is a process of recent origin for rubberising leather, or, in other words, thoroughly permeating pure leather with pure rubber. Shortly put, the process is to take bark or chrome-tanned hide, cleanse the pores of all greasy and other foreign matter, as far as can be done without detriment to the leather, and so prepare it for its absorption of a high percentage of rubber. This is effected through a series of paths aided by agitation. A careful watching of each step in the process is observed, so that leathers of various qualities and thicknesses may all receive uniform " rubberismg." It will be readily seen from this short description of rubbensing leather what solid foundation there is for the claims put forth for the extensive application and commercial utility of such a combination. There is the durability of that indispensable commodity, leather.combmed with the resilience and water- resisting qualities of the rubber. It may be, therefore, safely averred that wherever the one is used the combination will do better, and that in very many cases where rubber is used, the joined forces of leather plus rubber — rubberised leather — will more readily adapt themselves and establish a more effective service. The detrimental effects of exposure of manufactured rubber goods to ,the weather and to light are non-existing where these articles are made of the rubberised leather. A beautiful softness, resembling that of a kid glove, is a noticeable quality in this article, which seems to remain with it even when in use for a lengthened period. This has been amply shown where in use in the soles of boots, pump valves of several dcs-

criptions, football covers, tap washers, etc. In its application along lines of commercial importance, it is claimed that it will excel everything so far utilised as a tyre or cover for the automobile wheel. In this direction alone it has immense possibilities the world over. In every country, and for every purpose, in the business or pleasures demanded of locomotion, the automobile has now established a fixed position. But on every side, from every person using the automobile, comes -the one cry, "puncture, blow-out ; blow-out, puncture." Herein lies the dragon in the path. Automobile manufacturers and .their agents everywhere are unanimous in the assertion, voiced every day, that the introduction of a non-puncturable motor-car tyre, which will be durable and still preserve resilience, will at once double, if not treble, the sale and output of automobiles of all descriptions. The difficilties attending the early efforts to build a leather tyre which would have no seam, and could be guaranteed to hold on to the rim under the severest of trials, have now been finally overcome. Trials have recently been made extending over several days on rough country roads in all weathers, and covering several hundreds of miles. These have demonstrated practically that the company which has placed this article on the market is proceeding along correct lines, and it may be soon expected that the long-sought-after tyre will be in general use on motor cars, as already on the bicycle.