ABSTRACT
The ability to bind one item to another is something we take for granted each day. Shoes, books, furniture are just some items that are held together with the aid of adhesives. When repairing a torn sail or backpack, duct tape comes to the rescue! Adhesive technology has become an integral part of modern life, and because it is so integrated we tend to overlook binders as an important technological development. Binding materials are a significant part of our economy and a multibillion-dollar industry. Enormous and varied resources go into the development of technology that allows us to secure items together more efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. Binders in the ancient world were equally important and heavily utilized. This chapter will review some of the materials from which adhesives and binders were made including collagen, protein, egg, mortar, and bitumen.
