Rubber bands

Ball of Rubber Bands

Rubber bands are not just to snap at your classmates. They come in all sizes and are used for bundling packages, holding back your hair, straightening your teeth, and exercising your muscles. The world's largest consumer of rubber bands is the United States Post Office. The resilient, elastic loops hold together bundles of mail, bouquets of flowers or stalks of celery. Tip: they last longer if you store them in the refrigerator. On this date in 1845, Stephen Perry received a patent for the rubber band.

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From our Archives: Today's Highlights, March 17, 2008