The document discusses three types of rubber: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and neoprene. Natural rubber comes from plants and was originally sourced from South America but is now mainly from Southeast Asia. It is easily oxidized and sensitive to heat. Synthetic rubber was created as a substitute for natural rubber and is more heat and flame resistant. Neoprene is a type of synthetic rubber invented by DuPont that is very durable and resistant to fire, oil, and water but can be degraded by sunlight. The rubbers have various applications including tires, hoses, gloves, and insulation.