I can say this for certain: anytime during the 1960s, if you went into a bike shop that carried quality racing machines, all the models on display would have under-inflated tires because they used sew-ups with latex tubes.
I would guess (but certainly can't prove) that latex tubes were
used during the 1950s, at least for sew-ups meant for track
racing.
Cheers,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
> Kurt,
>
> I never really considered this question. I have always
> assumed that latex inner tubes predate butyl inner tubes
> because latex rubber products in general predate the
> invention of butyl rubber. I think (I'm sure someone will
> correct me) that butyl rubber was originally made by adding
> carbon black to natural latex. It gave the rubber better
> durability. Then again, maybe I'm confused. It may be the
> vulcanizing process that I'm thinking of. Vulcanizing also
> improves durability and I think it was vulcanizing that
> allowed for the development of rubber-treaded tires. I also
> recall that during some war or another (hows that for vague?)
> the development of totally syntheic (petrochemical based?)
> butyl was a major priority for whichever side lost access to
> SE Asian rubber supplies. Since the French were in that area
> specifically for the rubber, I assume the synthetic rubber
> was invented by the Germans. Just a guess.
>
> Anyway, I have little doubt that both latex and butyl inner
> tubes both in widespread use in tubular tires decades before
> 1976.
>
> Tom Dalton
> Bethlehem, PA
>
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