Abstract In the last twenty-five years a number of complex organic compounds have been developed and patented for the purpose of accelerating the vulcanization of rubber. Really serious bulk usage throughout the trade, however, did not commence until after the war. Research in this field raced ahead of manufacturing progress and brought out accelerators which were so active that they were almost unusable. There are now accelerators which are more than sufficient for the needs of the moment. They cover all ranges of conditions, such as slow, medium slow, semi-fast, semi-ultra, ultra, and super-ultra accelerators. In addition there are modifications for delayed action, quick start, flat peak, high tensile, and superflexing; also accelerators which will cure without heat and others which will cure without added sulfur. In view of the publicity indulged in by the vendors, one might almost feel compelled to change one's accelerators every week. Rationalization is as necessary in the use of accelerators as in the use of fillers. In the wise use of accelerators it is necessary to make a careful selection of only a few which function best in the temperature and process range of any particular manufactures.