David Spence: podcast appearances and interviews

David Spence was a pioneering rubber chemist known for his significant contributions to the development and processing of natural rubber. His work included devising new methods for extracting rubber from plants during the Second World War to support the war effort. Spence's research also focused on improving rubber processing techniques, including dyeing processes and vulcanization, as well as developing new accelerants to enhance the strength of lower-quality natural rubber. His expertise and innovations in the field earned him recognition as the first recipient of the Charles Goodyear Medal awarded by the American Chemical Society in 1941. Spence's career was marked by his efforts to advance rubber chemistry and improve manufacturing processes, making him a notable figure in the scientific community of his time.