Archaeological discoveries

What was Rubber for factories in the US dependent upon imports from?

The rubber used for factories in the United States was largely dependent on imports from Southeast Asia, particularly from British Malaya (present-day Malaysia) and the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). These regions were renowned for their vast rubber plantations, which supplied the majority of the world's natural rubber during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The abundant rubber resources from Southeast Asia were crucial for factories in the US to meet the growing demand for rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, and various industrial components.