Decorative Packaging

An English inventor, Thomas Hancock, founded the British Rubber Industry. He invented a machine called the masticator, which basically shredded rubber scraps, enabling the scraps to be re-purposed.

In 1820, Hancock patented fastening devices for gloves, suspenders and shoes, made from elastic. The masticator allowed Hancock to manufacture his elastic products without wasting the rubber scraps.

Today elastic is used in millions of products. Its ability to be stretched and then return to its original shape and size makes it a valuable packaging commodity, as well. Elastic cord is just one example of a packaging product which might not exist without the ingenuity of Thomas Hancock.