Maya Ellison
The first plastic ever synthesized was Parkesine, invented by Birmingham-born chemist Alexander Parkes in 1862. It was the first manufactured plastic, made from cellulose, a natural polymer found in plants. John Wesley Hyatt built on this invention in 1869, creating the first synthetic polymer, celluloid, as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls. However, it was Leo Baekeland's invention of Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907 that truly transformed industries and consumer habits, profoundly changing manufacturing and everyday life in the 20th century and beyond.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bakelite |
| Inventor | Leo Hendrik Baekeland |
| Year of Invention | 1907 |
| Type | First fully synthetic plastic |
| Raw Material | Phenol, an acid derived from coal tar |
| Properties | Durable, heat-resistant, good insulator, and suited for mechanical mass production |
| Uses | Automotive, electrical goods, radar insulation, etc. |
| Environmental Impact | Pollution, waste management issues, persistence in the environment |
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What You'll Learn
- Bakelite: the first fully synthetic plastic, created in 1907 by Leo Baekeland
- Polymers: long chains of molecules that give plastic its plasticity
- Celluloid: the first synthetic polymer, invented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869
- Natural polymers: naturally occurring polymers such as keratin, a carbon-nitrogen polymer
- Synthetic polymers: polymers made using carbon atoms from petroleum and other fossil fuels
Bakelite: the first fully synthetic plastic, created in 1907 by Leo Baekeland
Plastic is a term used to describe materials that can be formed and moulded under heat and pressure. Polymers are the chemical class of materials that make up all modern plastics. Polymers are composed of long chains of molecules, which give plastics their plasticity, or malleability.
Humans have been using naturally derived plastics for a long time. For example, in the Middle Ages, translucent slices of animal horn, made of keratin, a carbon-nitrogen polymer, were used to make lantern windows. The Olmecs in Mexico played with balls made of natural rubber, another type of polymer, around 1500 BCE.
The first fully synthetic plastic, however, was Bakelite, created in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland. Baekeland used phenol, an acid derived from coal tar, to create a plastic that did not rely on any natural polymers. 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. Its invention marked a significant turning point in material science and profoundly changed manufacturing and everyday life in the 20th century and beyond.
Before Baekeland's breakthrough, others had made important contributions to the development of materials resembling plastics. Alexander Parkes introduced Parkesine in 1862, a cellulose-based substance, and John Wesley Hyatt developed celluloid in 1869 as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls.
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Polymers: long chains of molecules that give plastic its plasticity
The word "plastic" is derived from the Greek word "plastikos," meaning capable of being molded or shaped. The first plastic was synthesized in 1862 by Alexander Parkes, who patented his invention as Parkesine, a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell. However, Parkesine was not fully synthetic, as it was based on cellulose, a natural polymer found in plants. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland.
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Polymers are the chemical class of materials that make up all modern plastics. They are large molecules, consisting of long chains of repeating smaller molecules (monomers). The process of combining these monomers (e.g., ethylene gas) by heat and pressure is called polymerization. The length of these chains and the patterns in which they are arranged are what give polymers their strength, lightweight, and flexibility. This is what allows plastics to be molded into any shape.
Polymers are found abundantly in nature. Cellulose, the material that makes up the cell walls of plants, is a very common natural polymer. Other examples of natural polymers include keratin, a mixed carbon-nitrogen polymer found in skin, hair, and wool, and rubber, a natural polymer used by the Olmecs in Mexico around 1500 BC to make balls.
Humans have learned to make synthetic polymers by using natural substances like cellulose or, more commonly, the plentiful carbon atoms provided by petroleum and other fossil fuels. The development of synthetic polymers has allowed humans to create materials that are not constrained by the limits of nature. Synthetic polymers can be engineered to meet specific needs, such as being sturdy and heat-resistant or flexible and lightweight. This adaptability has led to the widespread use of plastics around the world and their integration into almost every aspect of modern life.
However, the durability of plastics has also led to significant environmental challenges, as plastic waste accumulates in landfills and oceans. There is a growing focus on recycling and the development of more sustainable materials, including biodegradable plastics.
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Celluloid: the first synthetic polymer, invented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869
The first synthetic polymer, known as Celluloid, was invented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869. This discovery was revolutionary as, for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature.
Celluloid was created by treating cellulose, derived from cotton fibre, with camphor. This process produced a plastic that could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and ivory.
The development of celluloid was inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for anyone who could provide a substitute for ivory. The growing popularity of billiards had put a strain on the supply of natural ivory, which was obtained through the slaughter of wild elephants. Celluloid provided an alternative that not only saved elephants from endangerment but also introduced the world to the era of plastics.
While celluloid was a significant breakthrough, it was not a fully synthetic plastic as it was based on cellulose, a natural polymer found in plants. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907. Baekeland's innovation represented a new era of plastics, where materials could be designed with specific properties and mass-produced for a wide range of uses.
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Natural polymers: naturally occurring polymers such as keratin, a carbon-nitrogen polymer
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, marking a turning point in human manufacturing. This plastic, derived from cellulose and cotton fibre, could be crafted into a variety of shapes and imitations of natural substances. However, it was not until 1907 that Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic containing no molecules found in nature. This ushered in a new era of plastics, with major chemical companies investing in the research and development of new polymers.
Natural polymers, on the other hand, have a long history of use and abundance in nature. Cellulose, for instance, is a common natural polymer that forms the cell walls of plants. Another important natural polymer is keratin, a carbon-nitrogen polymer that is one of the most abundant biopolymers from animal sources. Keratin is derived from side-stream products of the cattle, ovine, and poultry industries, offering sustainable and cost-effective opportunities for advanced materials.
Keratin has been explored extensively in its association with synthetic, biosynthetic, and natural polymers. Its compatibility with other polymer matrices and its impact on the final properties of materials have been the subject of numerous reviews. The historical context of keratin use, its chemical characteristics, and extraction methods have also been examined. Keratin's versatility extends to its application in polymer-based biomaterials, with potential benefits in combination with other polymer matrices.
One notable area of exploration is the preparation of blends between keratin and polypropylene (PP). These blends offer a more biodegradable alternative to PP composites, contributing to the environmental concerns associated with the packaging industry. Keratin's addition to these blends enhances their biodegradability and improves the processability of the polymer matrix by reducing its viscosity.
Furthermore, the keratin pre-incorporation method has been shown to improve the stretchability of composites, while a multilayer approach can produce hydrophobic surfaces. The combination of keratin fibre with traditional flame retardants has also been explored, resulting in enhanced flame retardant properties. These characteristics of keratin offer promising possibilities for various applications, including packaging, biomaterials, and addressing environmental challenges posed by the widespread use of synthetic polymers.
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Synthetic polymers: polymers made using carbon atoms from petroleum and other fossil fuels
The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907. It was created as a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator, to meet the needs of the rapidly electrifying United States. This plastic was durable, heat-resistant, and well-suited for mechanical mass production.
Synthetic polymers are a broad category of plastics composed of long chains of carbon atoms, arranged in repeating units. These carbon atoms are sourced from petroleum and other fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal. The use of fossil fuels in the creation of synthetic polymers has been a significant environmental concern, with biodegradable alternatives being sought.
The versatility of synthetic polymers lies in their ability to be manipulated to suit specific applications. By using different elements, changing monomer types, and rearranging their patterns, the shape, molecular weight, and chemical and physical properties of the resulting plastic can be altered. This adaptability, combined with their low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to their widespread use.
Synthetic polymers derived from petroleum include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), nylon, polyester (PS), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). These polymers are used extensively in everyday applications, with packaging being the largest application, consuming 146 million metric tons (36% of global production) in 2015.
While synthetic polymers have revolutionized manufacturing, there is a growing movement towards biodegradable alternatives. Biodegradable plastics are those that break down upon exposure to biological factors such as sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, moisture, bacteria, and enzymes. The development of biodegradable polymers aims to address environmental concerns associated with waste disposal and the diminishing reserves of fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, created by Belgian-American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland in 1907.
Plastic is a term used to describe materials that can be formed and moulded under heat and pressure.
Plastics are made of polymers, which are large molecules consisting of a chain of repeating smaller molecules called monomers. Polymers can be found in nature, such as cellulose, the material that makes up the cell walls of plants. Synthetic polymers are often made using carbon atoms from petroleum and other fossil fuels.
Baekeland was 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 could be shaped or moulded into almost anything. It was also the first plastic that contained no molecules found in nature.
