Sofia Martinez
Plastic has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, with the 20th and 21st centuries being dubbed the 'Plastics Age'. The development of plastics has a long history, with early plastics derived from natural materials such as rubber, amber, horn, and tortoise shell, dating back to ancient times. However, the creation of synthetic plastics began around 100 years ago, with the first manufactured plastic, Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1862. This was followed by significant innovations such as celluloid in 1869 and Bakelite in 1907, which marked the beginning of the modern plastic era and transformed the way we live.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First plastic | Parkesine, also known as celluloid |
| Year of invention | 1855 or 1862 |
| Inventor | Alexander Parkes |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite |
| Year of invention | 1907 |
| Inventor | Leo Baekeland |
| First artificial plastic | Celluloid |
| Year of invention | 1869 |
| Inventor | John Wesley Hyatt |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic was first invented around 150 years ago
Hyatt's creation of celluloid built upon the work of Alexander Parkes, who first invented Parkesine, considered the first manufactured plastic. Parkesine was derived from plant cellulose and exhibited characteristics of being both rigid and flexible, water-resistant, opaque, capable of being coloured, and amenable to shaping with tools. Parkes patented this new material in 1862 as a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell.
While Parkesine and celluloid were significant steps forward in the development of plastic, they were not fully synthetic plastics. The first of these was Bakelite, invented by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907. Baekeland had been searching for a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator, to meet the needs of the rapidly electrifying United States. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. It could be shaped or moulded into almost anything, providing endless possibilities.
The creation of these early plastics marked a significant leap in the plastics revolution. They provided more accessible alternatives to scarce materials like ivory and tortoiseshell, democratising consumer goods and culture. The 20th century saw an explosion in plastic production and integration into everyday life, with new materials such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene being developed. However, the proliferation of plastics also led to concerns about waste accumulation and environmental impacts, with plastic debris in the oceans first observed in the 1960s.
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Bakelite was the first fully synthetic plastic, invented in 1907
The history of plastic is a long and complex one, with the development of plastics evolving from the use of natural materials to completely synthetic materials. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who was inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for a substitute for ivory. However, it wasn't until 1907 that the first fully synthetic plastic was invented.
Known as Bakelite, this revolutionary material was created by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. Baekeland had been searching for a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator that was in short supply. By combining phenol and formaldehyde, Baekeland created a resin that could be mixed with fillers such as wood and asbestos and pressed directly into various shapes.
Bakelite was a significant breakthrough because it contained no molecules found in nature. It was strong, durable, heat resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. Marketed as "the material of a thousand uses," Bakelite could be shaped or molded into almost anything, from telephone handsets and jewelry to automobile engine parts and electrical insulators.
Baekeland's invention marked the beginning of the Polymer Age, also known as the Age of Plastics. His discovery led to a surge of interest in the development of new polymers, with major chemical companies investing in research and development. While Bakelite eventually fell out of favor due to the emergence of newer plastics, it laid the foundation for the modern plastics industry and the widespread use of synthetic materials in our daily lives.
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The first plastic was an artificial ivory substitute
The first plastic was invented around 150 years ago, in 1869, by John Wesley Hyatt. The material, known as celluloid, was developed as a substitute for ivory in the manufacture of billiard balls. The growing popularity of billiards had led to over-exploitation of elephants for their ivory, and so a New York firm offered $10,000 for anyone who could provide an alternative. Hyatt's creation was a significant moment, as, for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature.
Hyatt's plastic was made by treating cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor. This could then be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and ivory.
The development of plastics has since evolved through three main stages. Firstly, the use of natural materials with intrinsic plastic properties, such as shellac and chewing gum. Secondly, the chemical modification of natural materials such as rubber, nitro-cellulose, collagen, and galalite. And finally, the creation of completely synthetic plastics, which we recognise as modern plastics.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. It could be shaped or moulded into almost anything, and its discovery led to major chemical companies investing in the research and development of new polymers.
Since these early developments, plastics have become an essential part of our lives, with production booming in the latter half of the 20th century. However, the environmental impact of plastic waste has become an increasingly prominent issue, with concerns being raised as early as the 1960s.
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Plastic's development was accelerated by the Industrial Revolution
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869, over 150 years ago, by John Wesley Hyatt. This was a significant development in the history of plastic, but its creation was accelerated by the Industrial Revolution.
During the nineteenth century, as chemistry developed during the Industrial Revolution, many new materials were discovered. The development of plastics accelerated with Charles Goodyear's 1839 discovery of vulcanization to harden natural rubber. This was a significant moment as it meant that, for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature.
Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855, was another important step forward. It was the first synthetic plastic and was driven by the desire to find an ivory substitute. This material, now known as celluloid, was a combination of cellulose nitrate, camphor, and alcohol under heat and pressure. It was an artificial plastic that could be moulded into a variety of shapes and forms, paving the way for the future of manufactured plastics.
The next significant development came in 1907, when Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland created Bakelite, the first real synthetic, mass-produced plastic. This material was durable, heat-resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. It could be shaped or moulded into almost anything, providing endless possibilities.
The plastics industry continued to expand, and World War II saw a great increase in the production of plastics in the United States. The need to preserve scarce natural resources made the production of synthetic alternatives a priority, and plastics provided those substitutes. Nylon, invented in 1935, was used during the war for parachutes, ropes, body armour, and helmet liners, among other things. The adaptability of plastics was further demonstrated, and the surge in plastic production continued after the war ended.
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Plastic's invention reshaped the world of manufacturing
The invention of plastic has undeniably reshaped the world of manufacturing. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who was inspired by a New York firm's offer of a monetary prize for anyone who could provide a substitute for ivory. This discovery was revolutionary as, for the first time, human manufacturing was no longer constrained by the limits of nature.
The development of plastics has a long history, starting with the use of natural materials with intrinsic plastic properties, such as natural rubber, amber, horn, and tortoise shell. Over time, people learned to heat and mold these substances to create a diverse range of objects. However, the significant growth in the usage of plastics occurred in the late 19th century with the development of synthetic plastics.
A key breakthrough came in 1907 with the invention of Bakelite by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. This was the first fully synthetic plastic, containing no molecules found in nature. Bakelite was durable, heat resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. It could be shaped or molded into almost anything, paving the way for the future of manufactured plastics.
The plastics industry experienced significant growth in the 20th century, with innovations in plastic production yielding new materials such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene, each with unique properties. World War II further accelerated the expansion of the plastics industry, as synthetic alternatives were needed to preserve scarce natural resources. Nylon, invented in 1935, was used during the war for parachutes, ropes, body armor, and more.
The proliferation of plastics has had a profound impact on modern manufacturing, offering a wide range of desirable properties. Plastics are lightweight, durable, flexible, non-toxic, and inexpensive to produce, making them widely used around the world. However, the difficulty in disposing of plastics due to their slow degradation has also led to environmental concerns and the accumulation of waste.
In recent years, there has been a shift in perception, with plastic being associated with words like "cheap," "flimsy," or "fake." Advances in bioplastics and recycling technologies offer hope for a more sustainable future, but the impact of plastic on the environment, such as the release of toxic chemicals and the ingestion of microplastics by organisms, remains a critical issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic was invented around 160 years ago. The first plastic, Parkesine, was invented in 1855 or 1862 by Alexander Parkes.
The first plastic was Parkesine, derived from plant cellulose. It was the first manufactured plastic and a significant leap in the plastics revolution.
Alexander Parkes, a Birmingham-born artisan-cum-chemist, invented Parkesine.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland.
