Unlike plastic, which is artificial, rubber is a natural product. It is made from latex, a white liquid found in certain plants, especially the Para rubber tree. This tree originally came from the Amazon forests in Brazil. The Indians of that area used the latex from the rubber tree to make statues, cups, and shoes. When latex was discovered by Europeans, they soon found many uses for it. For example, an Englishman named Charles Mackintosh invented a way to make waterproof rainwear with latex. His method is no longer used, but even today, many people in England ●●●●.