How did rubber trees make a knight?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

September 10, 2002

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Killer Savings: National Geographic—>Click here

A&E/The History Channel—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Smart Store Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Rainbow Shawl, Mini-binoculars, Suede Tote, & more—>Click here.

Rubber is a stabilized form of latex, a thick white sap found in numerous plant families. Today, more than ninety percent of all natural rubber comes from the Para or Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis (Willdenow ex A. Jussieu) Müller Aargau) grown in Southeast Asia.

Para Rubber Tree (Hevea Brasiliensis) Brazil Framed Photographic Print
Buy Framed Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Spain and Portugal colonized Central and South America starting in the 1550s. New World products generated fabulous wealth for ruling families; taxation and lack of autonomy created extreme poverty for natives, mestizos (native/European descendents), and Africans held in slavery.

Following the revolutions of the United States and France in the late 1700s, Latin American countries ousted Spanish and Portuguese rule. The 1800s became a period of political instability throughout Latin America. Rubber was not a major export; it was merely a curious plant product with few practical uses.

In the mid-1800s, Thomas Hancock (English) and Charles Goodyear (American) were the first inventors able to manipulate and temperature-stabilize rubber. Rubber became the 'stuff' of inventions, a needed product.

After marrying in 1871, Henry Wickham left London with his wife, mother, sister, and brother. He had every intention of creating a sugar and tobacco plantation. Wickham had earlier explored the Amazon, but he was not a farmer. His plantation failed and his mother and sister died at the Amazon plantation.

The English realized the potential of rubber. Rubber plantations failed in South America; plant diseases became epidemic when trees were planted in close proximity, political instability prevented assured delivery of latex. The solution: move the trees to tropical areas free of the native plant diseases and under direct political control. In 1876, Joseph Hooker, director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, commissioned Wickham to collect rubber tree seeds.

Wickham returned to England with 70,000 seeds. At Kew, less than four percent germinated. These trees were sent to the Malaysian Peninsula and founded the Asian rubber plantations. Wickham, the hero, was knighted and received a pension to live comfortably ever after.

The Faculty of Biology, University of Hamburg has several photographs taken by Peter v. Sengbusch of rubber tapping and raw latex in the Botanical Garden of Singapore. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/e51/hevea.htm

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

You DON’T have to be a “serious sailor” to enjoy all the pleasures of sailing!

Sea Eagle Inflatable Boats®

Sailboats of the same size and class as the SailCat cost $12,000 and more — a justifiable price, perhaps, for those deeply dedicated to sailing. But what about those who want to try out sailing…or who sail infrequently…or who otherwise can’t justify the expense of an ordinary sailboat?

At 1/6 the price of comparable sailboats, the SailCat is an extraordinary value for the casual, first-time, or family sailor. It’s an easy purchase to justify — not just because the price is low but because you get more for your money than with any hard-hull boat: all the fun of sailing with extra quality, convenience, portability, and warranty protection. Plus, the SailCat comes 100% complete with twin 14 ft. hulls, bench seats, 45 sq. ft. of sail, lateen rigging, two nylon carry bags, repair kit, and foot pump. Click here to view the SailCat and to learn more.

The Aymara live in a land of rich and deep cultural traditions, and like many of Bolivia's indigenous peoples are direct descendants of the pre-Inca Tiwanaku culture.

This suede jacket is accented at the pocket with a piece of vintage manta, a traditional woven textile made by the Aymara. An exquisite example of the attention to detail that exemplifies Bolivian crafts, the jacket is finely handmade by local artisans, and the luxuriously soft suede is accented with traditional alpaca fringe. Please expect some variation in the manta pieces. Button closure. Lined.

Using a centuries-old technique, Bolivian families weave mantas—beautiful woolen textiles in geometric patterns—for use as bedding and apparel. Today, artisans take pieces of vintage mantas and frame them in soft suede and durable leather to create these beautiful totes.

Features zip closure and roomy interior compartment with cell phone and sunglasses pockets. As each manta is unique, please expect some variation in color and pattern. Available in Red, Brown and Goldenrod. Handmade in Bolivia. Handles are 15 1/2'' long. 14''W x 11 3/4''L x 3 1/2''D.