Latex innertubes were introduced in the late 1880s, by Dr. Dunlop.
Latex was the only game in town until the 1940s. During WW2, the supply of latex (also known as "rubber") was skimpy, especially for the Europeaan Axis powers, because of Allied control of the sea shipping lanes.
German scientists developed butyl "rubber" in 1943 as a substitute for the natural latex they couldn't get. It turned out to be superior for most purposes, and cheaper as well, so latex disappeared from many products in favor of butyl "rubber."
Sheldon "Ersatz" Brown
Newtonville, Massachusetts
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| Men and nations behave wisely once they |
| have exhausted all the other alternatives. |
| -- Abba Eban |
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Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
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