The Rubber Boom [1850-1920]
For centuries, South American cultures used rubber – a tree latex –
to make containers, toys and waterproof garments. When Samuel Dunlop and
Edouard Michelin developed car and bicycle tyres, rubber became the
‘Black Gold’ of the 1800s.
‘Rubber Barons’ grew wealthy from the labour of their mainly Native
work force. Thousands were enslaved to work as seringueros (rubber
collectors) and many died as a result of forced labour, disease and
malnutrition.
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