Maya Ellison
The plastic boom began in the 20th century, with the first synthetic polymer invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. However, the plastic industry experienced significant growth in the late 19th century, with the development of synthetic plastics. The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and ideal for mechanical mass production. It sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet desirable products, and its success opened the door for the creation of new polymers. During World War II, there was an increased need for easy-to-produce, durable supplies, which further accelerated the development and production of plastics. In the postwar years, plastic began to replace more expensive materials such as paper, glass, and metal in throwaway items. The 1960s saw the emergence of plastic bags, with companies like Celloplast pursuing aggressive policies on polyethylene packaging patents. By the end of 1985, 75% of supermarkets were offering plastic bags to their customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First synthetic polymer invented | 1869 |
| Inventor of the first synthetic polymer | John Wesley Hyatt |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland |
| Plastic's popularity | 1960s |
| Plastic debris in oceans first observed | 1960s |
| Plastic grocery bags introduced in America | 1979 |
| Plastic bags cost retailers | 1000 paper bags: $30, 1000 plastic bags: $24 |
| Global plastic production in 2021 | 460 million metric tonnes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The first synthetic polymers were invented in 1869
The plastic boom started with the invention of the first synthetic polymers in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. This discovery 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 led to a strain on the supply of natural ivory, which was obtained through the slaughter of wild elephants.
Hyatt's invention, called celluloid, was created by treating cellulose derived from cotton fiber with camphor. This plastic could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and ivory. This discovery was revolutionary as, for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature. Advertisements praised celluloid as the savior of the elephant and the tortoise.
However, it is important to note that celluloid 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. Baekeland combined two chemicals, formaldehyde and phenol, under heat and pressure to create Bakelite. This invention sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet desirable products and transformed the manufacturing industry by offering an alternative to natural materials.
Recognizing Corn-Based Plastics: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Materials
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, was invented in 1907
The creation of Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907 marked the beginning of the Polymer Age or the Age of Plastics. Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, which combined two chemicals, formaldehyde and phenol, under heat and pressure. This process resulted in a hard, mouldable material that Baekeland named after himself and the heat-curing process it required.
Bakelite was significant because it was the first synthetic plastic to contain no molecules found in nature. Baekeland had been searching for a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator, to meet the needs of the rapidly electrifying United States. Shellac was made from the secretion of lac insects (Kerria lacca), which was a labour-intensive process.
Baekeland's invention was not only a good insulator, but it was also durable, heat resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. Marketed as "the material of a thousand uses," Bakelite could be shaped or moulded into almost anything, providing endless possibilities. This sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet highly desirable products. It had a dark brown, wood-like appearance, making it ideal for bringing new design trends such as Art Deco to the masses.
The success of Bakelite inspired the chemical industry to develop other synthetic plastics. It also led major chemical companies to invest in the research and development of new polymers, leading to the creation of new plastics such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, and nylon. The development of synthetic polymers has revolutionised various industries, including consumer goods, automotive, and film.
Perspex: Understanding Its Plastic Composition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic production took off during World War II
The plastic boom, which some attribute to the invention of Bakelite in 1907, can also be linked to World War II. The war triggered an acceleration in the manufacture and use of plastics, which provided the foundation for the industry's rapid expansion in the post-war period.
During World War II, there was a scarcity of traditional materials, and plastics provided a substitute. For example, rubber was needed to manufacture tyres for vehicles and planes, so plastic replaced rubber in the manufacturing of combs. Nylon, invented in 1935 as a synthetic silk, was used during the war for parachutes, ropes, body armour, helmet liners, and more. Plexiglas provided an alternative to glass for aircraft windows. The US Army required all combs issued to servicemen to be made of plastic, so every member of the US armed forces received a five-inch black plastic pocket comb as part of their standard hygiene kit.
The need for durable, inexpensive, and lightweight materials that could be manufactured quickly during the war also contributed to the rise in plastic production. The production of plastics in the United States increased by 300% during the war, and worldwide production quadrupled, increasing from under 100,000 tonnes in 1939 to 365,000 tonnes in 1945.
The expansion of the plastics industry during the war years led to a greater understanding of plastic manufacture and use, as well as the development of the skills and capacity to produce goods at scale. This set the stage for the industry to become a key building block for post-war recovery, providing new durable products to families in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the post-war period, plastics manufacturers faced the challenge of convincing consumers to spend their money on plastic goods. They embarked on public relations campaigns, working with women's magazines to promote plastic home goods. Products like Saran Wrap and Tupperware became leading symbols of suburban domesticity.
Molding Plastics: Iron Heat Treatment
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.99 $22.79
Plastic replaced paper, glass and metal in the post-war years
The plastic boom started in 1907 with the invention of Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland. However, it wasn't until World War II that plastic production truly took off. The wartime need for easy-to-produce, durable, lightweight, and inexpensive supplies led to the development of plastics that are still used today.
In the post-war years, plastic began to replace paper, glass, and metal in throwaway items and consumer packaging. This was due to several factors, including a glut of materials used to make plastics, new manufacturing plants, and a booming economy that gave consumers more spending money. Manufacturers also embarked on public relations campaigns to promote plastic home goods in women's magazines like "Good Housekeeping" and "House Beautiful".
Plastic replaced paper in items like shopping bags and food packaging, such as the switch from paper bags to plastic and the use of polystyrene foam for food containers. Plastic was also used instead of glass in shampoo and soda bottles, as well as in the iconic 20th-century designs of the Purma camera, the GPO telephone, and the Ekco AD36 radio.
Additionally, plastic replaced glass and metal in vehicles, making them more accessible. It also took the place of steel in cars and wood in furniture. The development of expanded polystyrene for thermal insulation and shock absorption, as well as the use of PVC for water-repellent coatings and tent canvas, further contributed to the replacement of these traditional materials.
The advantages of plastic, such as its lightweight and durable nature, led to its widespread adoption. However, the environmental consequences of plastic pollution began to be recognised in the 1960s, shifting public perception and leading to concerns about the persistence of plastic waste.
Transforming Milk: The Plastic Variable
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic debris in oceans was first observed in the 1960s
The plastic boom started in the 1950s, when plastic became economical and more efficient to use than natural fibres. Plastic production has increased exponentially since its use became widespread in the 1950s. The first fully synthetic plastic was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who named it Bakelite. It was durable, heat resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production.
Bakelite sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet highly desirable products. It had a dark brown, wood-like appearance but could be easily mass-produced, making it ideal for bringing new design trends such as Art Deco to the the masses.
However, the incredible success of plastic can be directly attributed to World War II when there was a need for easy-to-produce, durable supplies. The developments made during wartime led to plastics we still use today. After the war, plastic began to replace the more expensive paper, glass, and metal materials used in throwaway items such as consumer packaging.
The widespread adoption of plastics has had consequences for our health and the environment. Plastic pollutes our landscapes, oceans, air, and bodies, and has even entered the fossil record.
The Tricky Task: Closing a Cat Cone
You may want to see also
