Rubber elastic theory, history

In spite of its long history, the molecular theory of rubber elasticity is not yet in a definitive form. It is difficult to test the validity of the assumptions which are made in different versions of the theory by direct comparison with experiment because it is difficult both to characterize completely the material involved and to focus on the role of only a single aspect of the theory. The computer simulation of idealized... 

The above-mentioned general features of elastomeric materials have long been known and, in fact, the area of rubber-like elasticity has had one of the longest and most distinguished histories in all of polymer science (1,2,16). Forex-ample, quantitative measurements of the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of natural rubber and other elastomers go back to 1805, and some of the earliest studies have been carried out by such luminaries as Joule and Maxwell. Also, the earliest molecular theories for polymer properties of any kind were, in fact, addressed to the phenomenon of rubber-like elasticity. 

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