During World War II, natural rubber (from rubber trees) became incredibly scarce. Some even feared its complete exhaustion. The development of synthetic rubber staved off this doomsday scenario. Explain why, just when the Allies needed it most, this turn in good fortune was likely not a coincidence?
A) Scarcity raised the price of natural rubber, creating the incentive to invent a substitute.
B) The opportunity cost of planting more rubber trees was high.
C) They lacked the incentive to create higher-producing natural rubber trees.
D) Natural rubber went out of fashion because of the superior quality of synthetic rubber.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Scarcity of natural rubber raised its price, thus creating a profit incentive for inventors to create a synthetic substitute.

During World War II, Natural Rubber (From Rubber Trees) Became