Skip to content
PodcastMentions
Back to search
Founders artwork
FoundersApril 28, 2019

#69 Charles Goodyear: An Inventor's Obsession and the Struggle for a Rubber Monopoly

Listen
Audio URL: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/DSLLC4413598186.mp3?updated=1748636313
About This Episode
What I learned from reading The Goodyear Story: An Inventor's Obsession and The Struggle For A Rubber Monopoly by Richard Korman. An obsessive quest to find the recipe for rubber (0:01) Charles Goodyear epitomized the spirit of the upstart American technologists (6:15) the early life of Goodyear's family (20:10) coming up with the idea for a domestic made only hardware store (29:00) a crushing failure + debtor's prison (35:20) accidentally finding his life's work (38:18) optimism + positive mental attitude (44:30) Patent #3633 (1:03:30) why Charles did what he did (1:11:30) ---- Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here. ---- “I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
Book Mentions
7 book mentions in this episode.
Jump to books
Tip: Click “Mentioned at …” to copy a timestamp.
Tip: Click a cover image to open a book link.

Books Mentioned

The Goodyear Story and Inventors' Obsession and the Struggle for a Rubber Monopoly cover
The Goodyear Story and Inventors' Obsession and the Struggle for a Rubber Monopoly
Richard Corman

“The podcast discusses the biography of Charles Goodyear, focusing on his life, struggles, and the impact of his invention of vulcanized rubber.”

Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: Charles Goodyear's innovations
For: Entrepreneurs and history enthusiasts
Key quote: “The Goodyear story is a fascinating biography that also provides a panoramic view of America as a whole.”
The host mentions this book to highlight the fascinating life of Charles Goodyear and his relentless pursuit of rubber innovation. It serves as both a biography and a broader commentary on America's industrial revolution, making it relevant for entrepreneurs and history enthusiasts alike.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Wright Brothers cover
The Wright Brothers
David McCullough

“The host compares the story of Charles Goodyear to the Wright brothers, highlighting their technological advancements and contrasting their success with Goodyear's struggles.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: American technologists and inventions
For: Readers interested in the history of innovation and technology
Key quote: “I couldn't help but compare and contrast, um, the great book by David McCullough about the Wright brothers.”
The host mentions 'The Wright Brothers' to draw parallels between the innovative spirit of the Wright brothers and Charles Goodyear's struggles as a technologist. This comparison highlights the importance of pragmatic traits in achieving success in technological advancements.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Job cover
Job

“The story of Job in the Bible is referenced as a comparison to Charles Goodyear's trials and tribulations, emphasizing the theme of maintaining faith during hardships.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: trials and tribulations
For: Entrepreneurs and those interested in resilience
Key quote: “He compared himself to the, the first of all, he's extremely religious man.”
The host mentions the book 'Job' to highlight the parallels between Charles Goodyear's struggles and the biblical figure's endurance through hardship. Goodyear's belief in maintaining faith during his challenges reflects the essence of the story of Job.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Goodyear story cover
The Goodyear story

“The narrative of Charles Goodyear's life and struggles is described as inspiring, particularly in the context of perseverance and innovation.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Charles Goodyear's innovations
For: Entrepreneurs and history enthusiasts
Key quote: “The Goodyear story is a fascinating biography that also provides a panoramic view of America as a whole.”
The host discusses 'The Goodyear Story' to highlight the life and struggles of Charles Goodyear, emphasizing his obsession with rubber and the impact of his inventions. The book serves as both a biography and a broader commentary on America's industrial revolution and the challenges faced by inventors.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Seth Godin cover
Seth Godin

“Seth Godin is mentioned in relation to a quote about the value of books, emphasizing their potential to change lives.”

Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: value of books
For: avid readers and book enthusiasts
Key quote: “a book is a bargain. Still a screaming bargain.”
The host mentions Seth Godin to emphasize the value of books and the potential life-changing ideas they contain. He reflects on a personal mistake that led him to appreciate the unexpected insights gained from reading.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
unscaled cover
unscaled

“The speaker discusses a book called 'unscaled' that explores the idea of economies of scale being reversed in modern commerce, particularly in relation to technology and company size.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: self-employment and entrepreneurship
For: Entrepreneurs and business innovators
Key quote: “I think the economies of scale that were a result of the industrial revolution, the last, like I say, 150, 200 years of commerce in the Western world, I think that's being reversed.”
The host discusses the decline in self-employment and new business startups, contrasting it with historical practices of self-sufficiency. They mention the book 'Unscaled' to highlight the shift in company sizes and the potential for individuals to create and innovate in today's economy.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Goodyear, Hancock and the fight for the rubber monopoly cover
Goodyear, Hancock and the fight for the rubber monopoly

“There's actually a book. I think it's titled like Goodyear, Hancock and the fight for the rubber monopoly or something like that. I actually have it on my, like I saved it on Amazon just in case I do get the book later on.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: Goodyear's patent struggles
For: Readers interested in business history and entrepreneurship
Key quote: “I think Hancock was a much more successful entrepreneur.”
The host mentions the book to highlight the competitive landscape in the rubber industry, particularly focusing on Goodyear and Hancock's contrasting business strategies. The book serves as a resource for understanding the complexities of their rivalry and the evolution of rubber manufacturing.
ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.