Ep 14. Alliance Rubber Bands

John Ratzenberger travels to Alliance, Ohio, home of the world's largest rubber band manufacturer, to explore how rubber bands are made.

In this episode, John takes viewers on a tour of Alliance Rubber Company, which has been producing rubber bands for over 90 years. We learn that the company's founder, William Spencer, invented the modern rubber band in 1923. John meets with Bonnie Spencer, the granddaughter of William Spencer and the current president of the company, who tells him about the company's history and how it has evolved over the years.

John then heads to the manufacturing floor to see how rubber bands are made. He is amazed at the sheer size of the machines and the complexity of the process. John explains that the rubber is first mixed with different chemicals to create a compound that is then molded into long, thin, rubber strips. These strips are then cut into smaller pieces, and workers stretch them out on machines called "loopers" to create the classic rubber band shape.

As John watches the workers manipulate the rubber strips, he realizes how skilled they are at their jobs. He also learns that the company ensures that its workers are well taken care of, with a focus on safety and job security.

Later in the episode, John meets with a number of different people who use Alliance Rubber Bands in their everyday lives. He visits a mail room where the bands are used to bundle packages, and a newspaper publisher who relies on them for in-house distribution. He also talks to a teacher who uses rubber bands in her classroom for a variety of activities.

Throughout the episode, John emphasizes the importance of American manufacturing and how much it means to support companies like Alliance Rubber Company. He talks about how these companies provide jobs for Americans and contribute to the economy.

The episode wraps up with John reflecting on what he's learned about rubber bands and the people who make them. He reiterates the importance of American manufacturing and encourages viewers to support companies like Alliance Rubber Company.