'Growing American Rubber' explores America's quest during tense decades of the 20th century to identify a viable source of domestic rubber. Straddling international revolutions and world wars, this history chronicles efforts of leaders in business, science, and government to sever American dependence on foreign suppliers.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-306) and index.

The American dependence on imported rubber : the lessons of revolution and war, 1911-1922 -- Domestic rubber crops in an era of nationalism and internationalism -- Thomas Edison and the challenges of the new rubber crops -- The nadir of rubber crop research, 1928-1941 -- Crops in war : rubber plant research on the grand scale -- Sustainable rubber from grain : the Gillette Committee and the battles over synthetic rubber -- Resistance to domestic rubber crops and the decline of the Emergency Rubber Project -- From domestic rubber crops to biotechnology.