Rubber Coated
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US $.99
The earliest use of modern inflatable boats began in the mid 1800's, but the history of inflatable boats reaches back much farther. In fact, indigenous tribes around the world have, in centuries past, attempted to use inflated animal skins or bladders to hold them up in the water. These were more like rafts than true boats, but they demonstrate the early realization that you could fill a waterproof material with air and float it on the water's surface.
The earliest recorded use of inflatable boats was in 880 BC, when the king of Assyria used greased animal skins inflated with air to move his troops across a river. Other history records show that during the Ming Dynasty in China, inflated skins were used to cross rivers.
The Modern Era of Inflatable Boat History
The Duke of Wellington introduced the first real modern use of what would now be referred to as an inflatable boat. Others soon followed, but these early boats were prone to leaking and being easily punctured.
In the 1840's, several army and naval officers, including Britain's Lieutenant Peter Hackett, developed inflatable boats specifically designed for use in Arctic exploration. In 1848, U.S. General George Cullum introduced an inflatable boat of rubber coated canvas that was used to some extent in the Civil War. In 1866, three men crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a three tube raft, the first trans-oceanic crossing in inflatable boat history. It proved to many that inflatable boats were sturdy, reliable and worth further development.
Vulcanized Rubber Changes History of Inflatable Boats
In the early 1900's, vulcanized rubber manufacturing took the inflatable boat to the next level. Various developments popped in countries around the world. Two significant inventions were the inflatable boats developed by the German company A. Meyer Bau Pneumatic Boote. In England and France, two different companies (Zodiac and RFD) developed modern versions of the inflatable rubber boat at the same time.
Reginald Foster Dagnall, founder of RFD, is usually credited with developing and testing the precursor to today's modern life rafts. He tried it out in England around 1919. Zodiac's continuing development of inflatable rubber boats led to the use of these versatile craft by both civil and military forces. Zodiac's Pierre Debroutelle developed an unusual U-shaped design that integrated two buoyancy chambers with a wooden platform in between. This was a precursor to today's many inflatable sport and recreational boats.
One of the most famous ship wrecks in history - the downing of the RMS Titanic - also demonstrated the practicality of rubber lifeboats. The high loss of life on the Titanic was due in part to an insufficient number of the wooden lifeboats then in use. Had the Titanic been equipped with inflatable rubber lifeboats, many more lives would have been saved. It wasn't until World War II, however, that ships at sea began regularly using rubber boats or life rafts.
World War II and the History of Inflatable Boats
Two developments led to the increased use of inflatable boats by the Army and Navy. First, vulcanization processes for rubber had improved greatly, and second, warfare on the seas was leading to a high number of casualties. Naval ships and even submarines began keeping inflatable rubber boats to make quick evacuation possible without taking up too much space on a ship or in a sub when not in use. By this time, most inflatable boats were actually shaped like boats, with a pointed front or keel.
Inflatable boats were also used by the military for amphibious landings in shallow water and to transport cargo, gear and even torpedoes from sea vessels to the shore. Since inflatable boats could then be deflated, troops were able to carry them with them to be used again to leave a beach head if need be.
Inflatable Boats from 1950 to Today
After the war, inflatable boats continued to be used by consumers, but they were basically rafts that could be paddled or rowed. It wasn't until the 1950's, when Frenchman Alain Bombard attached an outboard motor to an inflatable boat, that these versatile boats really moved into the mainstream. One of the earliest proponents of motorized, inflatable boats was Jacques Cousteau, the famous marine biologist and diver.
By the 1960's, inflatable boat history had turned with the tide. They were now amazingly popular with everyone from fishermen to speed boating enthusiasts. A variety of new and improved styles, including the V-hull, RIB and various high performance inflatables hit the market over the years, proving that these lightweight water craft can be used for almost any type of water travel. There is no doubt that the history of inflatable boats will continue to include improved manufacturing and newer, more efficient styles.
About the Author:
Kevin Urban is the chief editor for AllInflatableBoats.net, the consumer guide to the best inflatable kayaks, dinghies and pontoon boats. Read our reviews of Advanced Elements inflatable kayaks - affordably-priced hybrids for white and flat water.
Copyright 2009 AllInflatableBoats.net
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Ipad Case Rubber Coated: Red $14.99 IPAD CASE RUBBER COATED: RED |
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Ipad Case Rubber Coated: Black $14.99 IPAD CASE RUBBER COATED: BLACK |
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RUBBER COATED PET GROOMING BRUSH BLUE $1.99 RUBBER COATED PET GROOMING BRUSH BLUE |
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RUBBER COATED PET GROOMING BRUSH BLACK $1.99 RUBBER COATED PET GROOMING BRUSH BLACK |
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Rubber Coated Add On Weight, 2.5 lb $12.95 Rubber Coated Add On Weight, 2.5 lb |
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J Fit Rubber Coated Dumbbell $10.04 A Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbell is the perfect solution for sculpting a firm and shapely upper body.Made from solid cast iron with a 6-sided anti-roll design and encased in rubber. |
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5 lb. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $19.34 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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15 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $40.57 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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20 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $51.89 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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25 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $65.09 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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30 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $78.3 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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35 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $91.51 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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40 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $95.69 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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45 lbs. Rubber Coated Dumbbell $107.76 Rubber coated finish. Precision cast with raised numbers. Sold individually.Please Note: This item CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, or FPO Addresses. It CAN ONLY ship to a Street Address. |
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SDRS900 Rubber Coated Hex $1330 Patent pending SDS 39Secure Dumbbell System39 combines one-piece cast heads with steel inserts pinned press fitted and welded Their compact design makes them shorter in length and easier to handle than conventional dumbbells Durable rubber coating pr... |
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SDRS650 Rubber Coated Hex $1067 Patent pending SDS 39Secure Dumbbell System39 combines one-piece cast heads with steel inserts pinned press fitted and welded Their compact design makes them shorter in length and easier to handle than conventional dumbbells Durable rubber coating pr... |
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SDRS550 Rubber Coated Hex $962 Patent pending SDS 39Secure Dumbbell System39 combines one-piece cast heads with steel inserts pinned press fitted and welded Their compact design makes them shorter in length and easier to handle than conventional dumbbells Durable rubber coating pr... |
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White Snap-on Rubber Coated Case $8.3 This is a white snap-on rubber coated case for HTC Holiday. Protect your tablet against bumps and scratches with this accessory case.Delivers instant protectionAllows easy access to all functionsEasy-to-grip rubber coated exteriorColor: WhiteMaterial: Hard plastic with rubber coated exteriorCompatible:HTC Holiday/ Vivid/ Raider 4GWarning: California residents only, please note per Proposition 65, this product may contain one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling or using this product, and contact the manufacturer(s) for information regarding the chemicals that may be contained in these products. |