Cool Rubber Band Facts
Rubber bands are used by people all over the world, usually to hold objects together. They were invented and patented in 1845 by Stephen Perry of Messers Perry and Company, a rubber manufacturing firm.
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Names
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The uses for rubber bands are nearly unlimited. People around the world call rubber bands many different things. In some places, the stretchy bands are called elastics, loop bands or gum bands. In other areas they may be referred to as lackybands, jimmys or binders.
Rubber Band Balls
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Hobbyists have often saved rubber bands by making them into balls. The Guinness Book of World Records certified the largest rubber band ball in 2008. It was built in Florida, weighed more than 9000 lbs. and stood over 6 feet tall.
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Rubber Band Bracelets
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Rubber bracelets are available in many colors with a variety of messages. In recent years, people have begun wearing rubber bands as bracelets. The color of the band, along with an optional message printed on it, can denote support for a particular group or cause. Bicyclist Lance Armstrong started this trend with his yellow "Livestrong" bracelets, which were developed to support cancer research.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Messy Rubber Bands image by MrGreenBug from Fotolia.com Domanda image by emmepi from Fotolia.com rubber band ball image by Gale Distler from Fotolia.com rubber to hair image by cegli from Fotolia.com
