Rubber

The para rubber grew originated from South America in Brazil. When Charles Marie de la Condamine returned from his voyage to Portugal, he brought back water-repellent rubberized cloth that shocked everyone. Condamine was accused of witchcraft because everyone was so shocked. Eventually rubber arrived to England, and it became clear that it was a great material to use on the tip of a pencil.
South America continued on to be the main supplier of rubber during the 19th century. However, in 1876, Henry Wickham gathered many rubber seeds, which were germinated (began to grow) in the UK. The seeds were then sent to the South East Asian countries, where they would become the biggest supplier of rubber.
Rubber was also supplied in the Congo, which was mainly forced labor. Liberia and Nigeria also began to grow rubber.
Much Earlier, the Ancient Mayans used rubber balls, hollow human figures, and as bindings for axes. Latex is the sap of different trees, most famous of the rubber tree. The Mayans learned to mix the sap with juice from the morning glory vines so that it would be more elastic and durable.
Their rubber balls were about the size of a beach ball, but weighed about 15 pounds. They were used in a ritualistic game called Tlachtlic. It was a cross between football and basketball. It's religious significance as recorded in the Popul Vuh, a Mayan religious document. The game also included gambling for things such as land or slaves. Some of the time it ended in a human sacrifice. This game was played from Southern Arizona, to Northern South America. Native people in the region still make rubber this way.

Picture Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Latex_dripping.JPG

Other Sources
http://www.essortment.com/all/historyofrubbe_rcml.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber