(1786-1865) English inventor who developed various processes used in the rubber industry, such as the “masticator”, a machine which kneaded raw rubber to produce a solid block.
Hancock was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire. In 1820 he opened a factory in London for making rubber products. Between 1820 and 1847 he took out 17 patents connected with working rubber, and set up a research laboratory. He also collaborated with Charles Macintosh of Glasgow, inventor of a waterproof cloth.
Like Charles Goodyear in the US, Hancock wanted to solve the problems of rubber's tackiness and inconsistency at different temperatures. After experimenting with sulfur additives and learning of Goodyear's work, Hancock adopted the heat process of vulcanization.
In 1857 he published Personal Narrative of the Origin and Progress of the Caoutchouc or India Rubber Manufacture in England.

(1737-1793) US politician and a leader of the American Revolution. As president of the Continental Congress 1775–77, he was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence 1776. Because he signed it in a large, bold hand (in popular belief, so that it would be big enough for George III to see), his name became a colloquial term for a signature in the US. He coveted command of the Continental Army, deeply resenting the selection of George Washington. He was governor of Massachusetts 1780–85 and 1787–93.

1. City in Iowa (USA); zip code 51536.
2. City in Michigan (USA); zip code 49930.
3. City in Minnesota (USA); zip code 56244.
4. Town in Maryland (USA); zip code 21750.
5. Village in New York (USA).
6. Village in Wisconsin (USA); zip code 54943.