The History of Rubber Flooring: From Natural Latex to Modern Commercial Specification

What is Natural Rubber

Without a doubt, rubber has proven to be an essential component of any modern society, deemed equivalent in importance to other natural materials such as steel, wood, stone, oil and gas. But what is the history or rubber flooring behind this substance, and how did it evolve into the commercial flooring products specified in buildings today?

Natural rubber is a renewable raw material harvested from the sap of the tropical rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). By cutting slits in the bark, a white, milk-like fluid is released which we call latex. Once the latex liquid is dried and compressed into bales, we refer to this substance as rubber.

Ancient Origins - The Mayas and Aztecs

Though the exact origin of rubber is unknown, it is thought that nearly 3,500 years ago the indigenous peoples of Central America the Mayas and Aztecs were using it to make shoes, balls and bottles. The natives called the tree ‘caa o chu’ or the ‘crying tree’; today we refer to it as a ‘rubber tree.’

One example of the importance of this natural substance within these societies was that the ancient Mayan people used rubber to make balls for their ritual games. This game, called Tlachtlic, was a cross between football and basketball but most importantly, it held significant religious meaning.

Western Discovery and the Age of Exploration

Our first Western documented knowledge of rubber came during the Age of Exploration at the beginning of the 16th century, when the Italian historian Peter Martyr, whilst in the service of Spain, documented seeing Mexican tribes people playing a game with elastic balls.

Interestingly, the word ‘rubber’ was believed to have been given to this material only in the 17th century. It was commonly used as an eraser, or to ‘rub out’ pencil marks, and the English chemist, philosopher and educator Joseph Priestley began calling it a ‘rubber.’

Early manufacturing and the problem with weather

The first natural rubber factory in the world was established near Paris in 1803, and another was built in England in 1820. Unfortunately, at this stage, rubber in its raw natural condition did not perform well when subjected to seasonal weather patterns. Weather-affected rubber over time became either brittle or soft, and the products produced were seen by consumers of the day as being substandard in quality.

Nevertheless, rubber had become an extremely popular object of research. In 1836, an American named Edwin Chaffee, patented a mixing mill and a calender for processing rubber materials.

Vulcanisation - The Discovery that Changed Everything

The most significant step in the evolution of rubber engineering was made by Charles Goodyear in 1840, when he discovered a process referred to as vulcanisation. This discovery revolutionised the rubber industry.

After a long period trying to develop a process to improve rubber’s qualities a pursuit that almost ruined him financially, Goodyear discovered vulcanisation quite by accident. Until 1839, rubber was subject to the effects of weather: when hot it became sticky, and when cold it became brittle.

Goodyear’s breakthrough came when he spilt a mixture of rubber, lead oxide and sulphur onto a hot stove. The resulting product was not affected by the elements of weather, and just as importantly, returned to its original form when stretched.

This new vulcanised rubber was also resistant to water and chemical interactions and did not conduct electricity, making it extremely suitable for a wide variety of products and applications.

Natural Rubber Production Today

Today, Thailand is the world’s largest producer of natural rubber, accounting for approximately 33% of global supply. It is followed by Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and China. These countries lie within a band from 5° to 15° north or south of the equator, providing the tropical conditions required for rubber tree cultivation.

Natural rubber is still used in its original form today, with the raw material used to manufacture products as diverse as baby pacifiers, surgical gloves, truck tyres and party balloons.

From Natural Rubber to Modern Commercial Rubber Flooring

The vulcanisation process Goodyear discovered in 1840 did more than transform rubber into a durable, weather-resistant material. It laid the foundation for an entire category of commercial building products, including the engineered rubber flooring specified in hospitals, schools, airports, offices and public buildings around the world today.

Modern commercial rubber flooring has evolved far beyond raw natural rubber. Today’s products are engineered to deliver specific performance attributes: comfort underfoot for standing staff, acoustic moderation in busy corridors, slip resistance in healthcare and education environments, stain and chemical resistance for laboratories and clinical areas, and long-term durability that supports decades of daily use with minimal maintenance.

American Biltrite, one of the world’s leading and oldest manufacturers of commercial rubber flooring, has built on over a century of rubber engineering to produce flooring ranges designed specifically for demanding commercial environments. Their product portfolio includes ranges featuring Nfuse Technology for enhanced stain and chemical resistance, as well as the ABMarathon range for high-traffic education, healthcare and public-sector applications.

GEO Flooring is proud to supply American Biltrite commercial rubber flooring across Australia and New Zealand, supporting architects, interior designers and specifiers with product selection, samples, technical documentation and specification guidance from concept through to construction.