擦膠的起源和歷史

問世之前

早期使用：在橡皮擦問世之前，人們主要使用麵包屑來擦去筆跡。這種方法雖然有效，但不夠方便。

1770年-開始生產

1770年，英國工程師愛德華·納爾恩（Edward Nairne）被認為是第一位發明廣泛販售的橡皮擦的人。他在一次無意中發現橡膠能有效擦去筆跡後，開始生產和銷售橡皮擦，這一發現迅速受到歡迎。

1858年-筆尾擦膠

1858年美國費城的海曼·利普曼（Hymen Lipman）因為把擦膠嵌在鉛筆尾部而取得了一項專利，但後來這種附有擦膠的鉛筆因為被判定為「只是把兩項已有的東西嵌在一起而不是新產品」而被取消專利。

現代-保險套與擦膠

在英國、澳洲、新西蘭將擦膠稱為Rubber。

但在美國與加拿大Rubber是保險套的俗稱之一，而擦膠稱Eraser。這往往被美國人用來開玩笑。

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Origins and History of the Eraser

Before Its Invention

Early Use: Before erasers were invented, people primarily used breadcrumbs to remove pencil marks. Although this method was effective, it was not very convenient.

1770 - Beginning Production

In 1770, British engineer Edward Nairne is credited with being the first to invent a commercially available eraser. After accidentally discovering that rubber could effectively erase pencil marks, he began producing and selling erasers, and this innovation quickly gained popularity.

1858 - Pencil with Eraser

In 1858, Hymen Lipman from Philadelphia patented the idea of embedding an eraser in the end of a pencil. However, this patent was later revoked because it was deemed "merely combining two existing items rather than creating a new product."

Modern Era - Rubber and Erasers

In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, erasers are referred to as "rubber." However, in the United States and Canada, "rubber" is a colloquial term for condoms, while the term "eraser" is used for the writing tool. This distinction often leads to humorous misunderstandings among Americans.