Ethan Clarke
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869, marking the beginning of the Plastics Age. However, the term plastic originally referred to materials such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac, which were worked with in antiquity by heating and moulding them into desired shapes. These natural plastics were derived from non-fossil raw materials and required minimal processing. The development of synthetic plastics in the late 19th century revolutionized manufacturing, freeing humans from the limitations of natural resources. While plastic has improved healthcare and reduced infections, its environmental repercussions are significant, with plastic debris polluting our landscapes, oceans, air, and even our bodies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest known plastic | Latex, used in South America around 1600 BCE |
| First synthetic plastic | Parkesine, derived from plant cellulose, created in the 19th century |
| First synthetic polymer | Created by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869 |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 |
| Plastic usage growth | Significant growth in the late 19th century and 20th century |
| Plastic Age | 20th and 21st centuries |
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What You'll Learn
The earliest plastics
The word "plastic" originally meant "pliable and easily shaped". Plastics are polymers, which are made of long chains of molecules. Polymers are found in nature, for example, cellulose is a natural polymer that makes up the cell walls of plants.
Centuries before the Common Era, people were already using materials with plastic properties, such as rubber, amber, horn, and tortoise shell. These natural plastics were heated and moulded into various objects.
The earliest known plastic manipulated by humans is believed to have been latex, used to craft balls and figurines around 1,600 years before the Common Era in South America.
In the 19th century, the development of synthetic plastics led to a significant increase in plastic usage. The initial prototypes of Parkesine, derived from plant cellulose, were showcased at the London International Exhibition. This marked the earliest incarnation of synthetic plastic, created by Alexander Parkes.
In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer, inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for an ivory substitute. By treating cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor, Hyatt discovered a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and imitations of natural substances.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, containing no molecules found in nature. Bakelite found extensive applications due to its electrical and thermal insulating properties, lightweight nature, and ability to be formed into various shapes.
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Natural plastics
The term "plastic" originally meant "pliable and easily shaped". Plastics are polymers, which are large molecules made up of chains of smaller molecules (monomers). While we often associate plastic with the 20th and 21st centuries, natural plastics such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac have been used since ancient times. These natural materials are polymers found in nature. Cellulose, for example, is a natural polymer that makes up the cell walls of plants.
In the 19th century, humans learned how to create synthetic polymers, often using natural substances like cellulose and, more recently, carbon atoms from petroleum and other fossil fuels. However, the concept of bioplastics, or biodegradable plastics made from natural materials, dates back to the early 20th century. Significant advancements occurred in the 1980s and 1990s when researchers began developing biodegradable plastics from natural sources.
Bioplastics are derived from renewable biomass sources and have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials and contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles. They can be processed from natural biopolymers like corn starch, rice starch, cellulose, and soy protein. For example, polylactic acid (PLA) is a biopolymer used to produce plastic containers, cups, and bottles. It is biodegradable and has a melting point higher than 130 degrees Celsius.
Another example of a bioplastic is polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable polyester produced by bacterial fermentation of sugar or lipids. PHA is more ductile and less elastic than other plastics and is widely used in the medical industry. By using bioplastics, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and move towards a more efficient use of natural resources.
In conclusion, while the term "plastic" may evoke images of modern synthetic materials, natural plastics have existed since antiquity. The development of bioplastics offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, helping to address the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste.
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Synthetic plastics
The word "plastic" originally meant "pliable and easily shaped". Plastics are polymers, which are made of long chains of molecules. Polymers are found in nature, for example, cellulose, the material that makes up the cell walls of plants, is a natural polymer.
Humans have been harnessing the plastic properties of materials like rubber, amber, horn, and tortoiseshell for centuries. By heating and moulding these substances, they created a diverse range of objects. However, the usage of synthetic plastics only began to grow in the late 19th century.
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor. This discovery was revolutionary as, for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature. Hyatt's plastic could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, meaning it contained no molecules found in nature. It was the first industrial plastic founded on a synthetic polymer. Bakelite found extensive applications in items such as telephone casings, saucepan handles, electrical sockets, and ashtrays.
The 20th and 21st centuries have been dubbed the "Plastics Age" due to the influence and ubiquity of plastics in society.
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Plastic production
Plastic is a term used to describe materials that can be formed and moulded under heat and pressure. The word “polymer” refers to the chemical class of materials that make up all modern plastics. Polymers are made up of long chains of molecules, and the process of combining these molecules through heat and pressure is called polymerisation.
The earliest known plastic manipulated by humans is believed to have been latex, which was used to craft balls and figurines around 1,600 years before the Common Era in South America. Centuries before the Common Era, people also harnessed the plastic properties of materials like rubber, amber, horn, and tortoise shell by heating and moulding these substances to create a range of objects.
The development of synthetic plastics in the late 19th century marked a significant growth in plastic usage. In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt created the first synthetic polymer, inspired by the need for a substitute for ivory in billiard balls. By treating cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor, Hyatt discovered a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and made to imitate natural substances. This discovery was revolutionary, as it freed human manufacturing from the limits of nature and helped protect the natural world from the destructive forces of human need.
In the 20th century, plastics began to emerge in various industries, with new types supplanting the applications of natural materials that had become scarce, costly, or unattainable. Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907, was the first fully synthetic plastic and the first industrial plastic founded on a synthetic polymer. It found extensive applications due to its electrical and thermal insulating properties, lightweight nature, and mouldability.
The late 1940s and 1950s saw an explosion of plastics into consumer markets, with companies touting the benefits of plastic products. However, by the 1960s, perceptions began to shift as people became increasingly aware of environmental issues, including plastic pollution in the oceans. Despite the concerns and efforts to reduce, recycle, and replace plastic, it remains pervasive in the modern world, with global plastic production reaching over 460 million metric tonnes in 2021.
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Plastic consumption
The history of plastic consumption can be traced back to the use of natural plastics such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac, which were worked with since antiquity. However, the significant growth in plastic usage began in the late 19th century with the development of synthetic plastics. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who created a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and imitate natural substances. This discovery was revolutionary as, for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature.
The 20th century witnessed the emergence of plastics in industry, with new types of plastics supplanting the applications of natural materials, especially during the world wars. Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland and found extensive applications in items such as telephone casings and electrical sockets. The post-war years saw a shift in American perceptions of plastic, as environmental concerns grew and plastic debris in oceans was first observed in the 1960s.
Despite the environmental repercussions, plastic consumption has continued to surge in recent years. In 2021, global plastic production reached over 460 million metric tonnes. Plastic's versatility, strength, and low cost have made it an indispensable part of modern life. However, there is a growing awareness of the need to improve recycling infrastructure and move away from single-use plastic to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there was no plastic in 1300 BC. The earliest known plastic manipulated by humans is believed to have been latex, which was used to craft balls and figurines around 1,600 years before the Common Era in South America.
The 20th and 21st centuries have been dubbed the "Plastics Age", indicating that plastic became commonly used during the 20th century. However, the usage of plastic experienced significant growth in the late 19th century due to the development of synthetic plastics.
Early plastics were of natural origin, derived from non-fossil raw materials such as oil. Examples of natural plastics include horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac. These materials were heated and moulded to create a diverse range of objects.
