Chloe Zhang
Plastic packaging became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate being some of the most commonly used plastics. The first plastic to be used for packaging was cellophane, invented by Jacques E. Brandenburger and used by an American candy manufacturer in 1912. Plastic was discovered in the 19th century, but most plastics were reserved for military and wartime use. In the post-war period, plastic began to replace paper, glass, and metal materials in throwaway items such as consumer packaging. The development of plastic packaging was driven by the search for a perfect packaging material that could protect its contents from contaminants and was influenced by the advent of polymerisation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First plastic used for packaging | Cellophane |
| Inventor of cellophane | Jacques E. Brandenburger |
| Year of cellophane invention | 1912 |
| Year cellophane was first used commercially | 1926 |
| Year plastic became popular | 1950s |
| Reason for popularity of plastic | Plastic is inexpensive, safe, sanitary, and can be moulded into any shape |
| Other materials used for packaging before plastic | Natural resources like wood, metal, stone, bone, tusk, horn, ivory, paper, glass, and metal |
| Drawbacks of pre-plastic packaging materials | Shortage of natural resources, susceptible to damage, and expensive |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic packaging replaced paper, glass and metal
Plastic packaging has become a significant part of the packaging industry, dominating the market and replacing traditional materials such as paper, glass, and metal.
The history of packaging dates back to ancient times, with early humans using natural materials such as gourds, shells, and leaves for containers. Over time, containers evolved into hollowed logs, woven grasses, animal organs, and furs. The search for better packaging materials continued, and in the 19th century, the science of polymerisation emerged, paving the way for the development of plastics.
The first plastic used for packaging was cellophane, invented by Jacques E. Brandenburger in the 1910s. However, plastic packaging became popular in the 1950s, with the widespread use of injection moulding machines. Polypropylene, first polymerised in the 1950s, is now the most commonly used plastic in packaging. The post-war period saw plastic replace more expensive paper, glass, and metal in throwaway items, including consumer packaging. Plastic bags, for instance, replaced paper bags, and plastic containers took the place of glass jars and cardboard boxes for food products. Plastic milk containers replaced glass milk bottles, and plastic trays and cups replaced pottery and glass containers.
Plastic offered several advantages over traditional materials. It was inexpensive, lightweight, safe, and sanitary. It could be moulded into any shape and was durable and flexible. Plastic also helped address the limitations of natural resources, which were becoming scarce and expensive due to increasing consumerism. However, the environmental impact of plastic debris became a growing concern in the 1960s, and its reputation suffered further in the 1970s and 1980s as waste accumulation and pollution became pressing issues.
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Cellophane was the first plastic used for packaging
Plastic packaging has come a long way since its inception, now dominating the packaging industry. Before the invention of plastic, natural resources like banana skins, paper, card, metals, and wood were used for packaging. However, these materials had limitations, such as susceptibility to moisture, insects, or rust. The development of plastic packaging offered a revolutionary solution to these challenges.
Cellophane, a thin film of regenerated cellulose, was the first plastic used for packaging. It is usually transparent, flexible, and possesses low permeability to air, oils, greases, bacteria, and liquid water, making it ideal for food packaging. The journey of cellophane began in the late 19th century with efforts to produce artificial materials through the chemical alteration of cellulose, derived from wood pulp or cotton linters. In 1892, English chemists Charles F. Cross and Edward J. Bevan patented viscose, a solution of cellulose treated with caustic soda and carbon disulfide, which laid the foundation for its creation.
The Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger is credited with inventing cellophane. Inspired by the liquid-absorbing properties of tablecloths, he spent over a decade perfecting a fabric that repelled liquids. In 1908, Brandenberger designed a machine for the continuous production of a strong, transparent film, which he named "cellophane," derived from the words "cellulose" and "diaphane," the French word for "translucent."
Cellophane gained popularity after World War I, becoming the first flexible, transparent plastic film used for common items like food wrap and adhesive tape. Its applications extended to wrapping chocolates, perfume, and flowers, revolutionizing shopping behavior by allowing customers to select products directly from shelves based on their appearance. During World War II, cellophane was deemed essential, used for packaging soldier's rations and making vapor-resistant gas capes.
While cellophane sales declined from the 1960s due to the emergence of alternative packaging options, it remains a significant material in the history of plastic packaging. Its impact on the industry was so profound that the word "cellophane" became synonymous with plastic film, with the brand achieving worldwide recognition. Today, cellophane continues to be used, particularly in cigar packaging, valued for its permeability to water vapor.
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Plastic packaging became common in the 1950s
The development of plastics as a packaging material began in the 19th century with the discovery of the polymerisation process. The first plastic to be used for packaging was cellophane, invented by Jacques E. Brandenburger in the early 20th century. However, it was during the 1950s that plastic packaging truly gained popularity. This was due to the development of polypropylene, which is now the most commonly used plastic in packaging and labelling. Polypropylene was first polymerised in the 1950s, and its ability to be moulded into any shape made it highly versatile for packaging applications.
The post-war period in the United States also played a significant role in the rise of plastic packaging. Americans, having experienced the Great Depression and World War II, were eager to spend, and plastic offered an inexpensive and versatile alternative to traditional materials. Plastic could be used to create a wide range of products, from packaging to furniture and car parts. It was seen as a miracle material that could shape a utopian future of abundant material wealth.
During the 1950s, plastic foam also became available worldwide, further expanding the use of plastic in packaging. Plastic insulation, cushioning materials, and foam boxes, cups, and meat trays for the food industry became common. Additionally, the invention of bubble wrap in 1957 by Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding contributed to the growing popularity of plastic packaging. While it was initially marketed as wallpaper and greenhouse insulation, its true value as protective packaging was discovered in 1960.
The 1950s marked a pivotal decade in the history of plastic packaging, with polypropylene polymerisation and the widespread availability of plastic foam driving its adoption. The economic and material advantages of plastic over traditional materials solidified its place in the packaging industry, setting the stage for its ubiquitous presence in the following decades.
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Plastic's popularity grew after World War II
The Plastics Age, as the 20th and 21st centuries have been dubbed, truly took off after World War II. The war effort had accelerated the development of plastics, but it was only after the war that plastic became a fixture of everyday life.
During the post-war period, plastic began to replace the more expensive paper, glass, and metal materials used in throwaway items, such as consumer packaging. Plastic was cheap, durable, and could be moulded into any shape. These qualities made it ideal for packaging, and it soon became the dominant material in the industry.
Bakelite, the first modern plastic, was invented in 1907, but plastic was mostly reserved for military and wartime use until the 1950s. In the post-war period, it was used for everything from food bags and milk containers to bubble wrap and adhesive tape. Polypropylene, the most commonly used plastic in packaging and labelling today, was first polymerised in the 1950s.
The development of plastic packaging was driven by the search for the perfect packaging material. Before the invention of plastic, natural materials such as wood, metal, and paper were used, but these were susceptible to damage and contamination. Plastic could protect its contents from outside contaminants, making it ideal for food packaging.
The shift to plastic packaging was also influenced by environmental concerns. In the 1960s and 1970s, paper bags were replaced by plastic bags in an effort to reduce the use of paper and save trees. However, plastic's reputation began to change in the 1970s and 1980s as the public became increasingly aware of environmental problems. Plastic debris in the oceans was first observed in the 1960s, and the non-biodegradable nature of plastic became a growing concern.
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Plastic's reputation fell in the 1970s and 1980s
Plastic packaging became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The first plastic to be used for packaging was cellophane, invented in 1912. However, plastic's reputation took a turn during this period due to several factors.
Initially, plastic was considered a revolutionary discovery as it provided a substitute for natural resources, which were limited in supply. The development of plastic helped address shortages caused by increasing consumerism. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, plastic's reputation began to change as concerns emerged about its impact on the environment and human health.
The disposable nature of plastic products came under scrutiny as people became increasingly anxious about waste. Plastic, being disposable, was seen as a significant contributor to waste, especially considering its everlasting presence in the environment. The issue of plastic waste was highlighted by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive swirl of plastic garbage in the Pacific Ocean, described as being the size of Texas.
During this period, there was also a growing concern about the potential health hazards of plastic. Additives like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, used to enhance plastic properties, were suspected of leaching into food, water, and the human body. Scientists and the public raised alarms about possible disruptions to the endocrine system, particularly in children.
The plastics industry responded to the growing concerns by promoting recycling initiatives. They encouraged municipalities to collect and process recyclable materials as part of waste management systems. However, recycling efforts fell short, and a significant portion of plastic waste still ends up in landfills and the environment.
As a result of these concerns, plastic's reputation suffered during the 1970s and 1980s, and it became associated with conformity and superficiality rather than the initial excitement about its possibilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic packaging became popular in the 1950s, although the first plastic to be used for packaging was cellophane in 1912.
Before plastic, packaging was made from natural materials such as wood, metal, stone, bone, tusk, horn, glass, and paper.
Bakelite was the first modern plastic, invented in 1907.
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