Rubber?

[Minimalist]

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/mayaball-0524

Spanish explorers encountering an advanced civilization in Mesoamerica in the 16th century had plenty of things to be astonished about, but one type of object in particular was unlike anything they had ever seen before: rubber balls. No such stretchy, bouncy material existed in the Old World, and they had to struggle to find words to describe it.

[Rokcet Scientist]

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/mayaball-0524

Spanish explorers encountering an advanced civilization in Mesoamerica in the 16th century had plenty of things to be astonished about, but one type of object in particular was unlike anything they had ever seen before: rubber balls. No such stretchy, bouncy material existed in the Old World, and they had to struggle to find words to describe it.

OK, that was of course remarkable. But by posting this you're suggesting that you see something of a larger (cultural? technical? industrial? social?) portent than a mere toy or sports implement. Spell it out please.

Rubber ball: http://tinyurl.com/3y43j82

[Minimalist]

The article includes discussion of various techniques used to adapt rubber to other purposes. If nothing else, it indicates a certain degree of technical curiosity among the people.

[Rokcet Scientist]

The article includes discussion of various techniques used to adapt rubber to other purposes. If nothing else, it indicates a certain degree of technical curiosity among the people.

Yes it does that. But apart from game/ritual balls and sandal soles this technology seems to have existed in a vacuum. It didn't lead to anything else, as far as is known now.

As in the cartoon where cave man builds a shiny motorcar, and then proudly puts his horse in front of it to pull it.