In today’s world, the term “plastic” is ubiquitous, encompassing a vast array of materials that have become indispensable in our daily lives. Originally derived from natural materials like horn and rubber, the development of synthetic plastics emerged as a response to the growing demand for durable, versatile, and cost-effective materials. From early semi-synthetic forms to the diverse range of polymers we use today, plastics have evolved from a scientific marvel into a manufacturing staple.
Contrary to what we associate it with today, “plastic” was originally an adjective that meant “pliable and easily shaped.” Now, it is a name used to refer to a specific group of materials called polymers, which are made up of long chains of molecules. Polymers are abundantly present in nature, but in recent years, scientists have begun creating synthetic versions as a more widely available form of “plastic” substances.
How did the need to save elephants lead to the invention of synthetic plastic?
While regular production of consumer goods grew significantly following the Industrial Revolution, the availability of naturally-derived materials did not, and manufacturers were faced with the need for synthetic materials that could keep up with demand. For millennia, natural plastics such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac were commonly used to create a variety of products, from jewelry and combs to cutlery and piano keys. However, in the late 19th century, a growing concern arose over the environmental impacts of using these materials, emphasized by the suggestion that elephants were in danger of becoming extinct due to the popularity of using their tusks to make goods from ivory.
In 1863, a New York billiards supplier published an ad offering $10,000 in gold to anyone who could create a sufficient alternative to ivory. In response, businessman John Wesley Hyatt began experimenting with various combinations of solvents, building off the research of chemist Alexander Parkes, who created the first manufactured plastic, “Parkesine,” out of cellulose nitrate. By combining nitrocellulose with camphor, Hyatt invented celluloid – the first semi-synthetic plastic, which was quickly put to use in the manufacturing of goods meant to mimic the look and function of items made from natural materials.
Who invented the first fully synthetic plastic and what was it?
The first fully synthetic plastic, polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, was inadvertently created in 1907 by scientist Leo Hendrik Baekeland in his pursuit of a less expensive and more readily available substitute for shellac. One day, during his experimentation, he combined formaldehyde with phenol and applied heat to the mixture. When he returned the next day, he discovered a substance not like the shellac he was expecting but rather a polymer that did not melt, dissolve, or crack. He named the substance Bakelite and three years later established a company to manufacture it commercially.
This revolutionary new form of synthetic resin quickly became a popular choice for commercial and industrial goods, and it was advertised as “the material of a thousand uses.” Its combination of moldability and durability made it excellent for a variety of applications, especially in the growing automotive and electric power industries, where it was used for components such as knobs, dials, circuitry panels, sockets, and insulators. It even introduced the novelty of making brightly-colored items, including buttons, jewelry billiard balls, iron handles, and children’s toys. By 1944, Bakelite could be found in more than 15,000 different products and is still commonly used to make dominoes, mah-jongg tiles, checkers, and chess pieces.
How has plastic evolved and impacted modern life and industry?
The invention of Bakelite marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry, spurring the manufacture of a multitude of products enhanced by the new materials that offered more desirable properties than previously utilized natural resources, such as toasters, coffee makers, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, headphones, and more. Other scientists soon also developed new forms of thermosetting plastics that eventually became favored over Bakelite for their increased durability and flexibility, as well as other versatile compounds such as polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and nylon.
The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was inadvertently created in 1907 by scientist Leo Hendrik Baekeland. He was pursuing a less expensive substitute for shellac when he combined formaldehyde with phenol and applied heat, discovering a polymer that did not melt, dissolve, or crack. Named Bakelite, this revolutionary synthetic resin quickly became popular for commercial and industrial goods, advertised as “the material of a thousand uses.” Its moldability and durability made it excellent for various applications, especially in the automotive and electric power industries for components like knobs, dials, circuitry panels, sockets, and insulators. It also enabled brightly-colored items such as buttons, jewelry, and children’s toys. By 1944, Bakelite was in over 15,000 products and is still used today for items like dominoes and chess pieces.
The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was inadvertently created in 1907 by scientist Leo Hendrik Baekeland. He was pursuing a less expensive substitute for shellac when he combined formaldehyde with phenol and applied heat, discovering a polymer that did not melt, dissolve, or crack. Named Bakelite, this revolutionary synthetic resin quickly became popular for commercial and industrial goods, advertised as “the material of a thousand uses.” Its moldability and durability made it excellent for various applications, especially in the automotive and electric power industries for components like knobs, dials, circuitry panels, sockets, and insulators. It also enabled brightly-colored items such as buttons, jewelry, and children’s toys. By 1944, Bakelite was in over 15,000 products and is still used today for items like dominoes and chess pieces.
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