Alexei Volkov
The creation of plastic dates back to the 19th century, with the first synthetic polymer invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, marking the beginning of the Plastics Age. This innovation was inspired by the need for an ivory substitute, and it sparked a revolution in the development and usage of synthetic plastics. Since then, plastic has become an integral part of our lives, impacting various sectors and offering benefits in the health industry. However, the plastic pollution crisis has emerged alongside its rise, posing significant environmental concerns. The story of plastic's invention and its impact on our world is a fascinating journey that continues to evolve.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First synthetic polymer invented | 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt |
| First semi-synthetic plastic | Parkesine, invented in 1855 or 1862 by Alexander Parkes |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland |
| First industrial plastic founded on a synthetic polymer | Bakelite, pioneered by Leo Baekeland |
| First plasticizing of PVC | 1926 by Waldo Semon |
| First industrial plastic | Polyethylene, accidentally discovered in the 1930s |
| First synthetic silk | Nylon, invented in 1935 by Wallace Carothers |
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What You'll Learn
Alexander Parkes' Parkesine
Plastic is a term that describes a range of materials containing synthetic polymers in their makeup. The world has witnessed an unprecedented rise in plastic's prominence and use over the last century. The creation of new materials, such as plastic, helped free people from the social and economic constraints imposed by the scarcity of natural resources.
Alexander Parkes, an inventor from Birmingham, United Kingdom, was one of the first people to create a partially synthetic fabric. He was born on December 29, 1813, and was a metallurgist and inventor, as well as the son of a manufacturer of brass locks. In 1841, he secured his first patent (No. 8905) for the electrodeposition of works of art, demonstrating his early inventive prowess.
Parkes invented Parkesine, the first man-made plastic, in 1855, and it was patented the following year. Parkesine was a semi-synthetic material made from cellulose nitrate. The material could be altered to be rigid, soft, or rubber-like, showcasing its versatility and setting a precedent for future plastic innovations. The name 'Parkesine' is derived from its inventor, Alexander Parkes, and was first showcased to the public in 1862 at the London International Exhibition. Kitchen items made from this plastic were central to his presentation, and the product was well-received, generating interest from both the public and industry.
The Parkesine Company was established in 1866 in Hackney Wick, London, with the aim of producing plastic items on a large industrial scale. However, the business faced challenges due to the high cost of production, the final product's tendency to crack, and its flammability. The company ultimately closed in 1868, and Parkes sold it to his business associate, Daniel Spill. Despite these setbacks, Parkes' invention of Parkesine sparked a wave of innovation in the plastic industry, with inventors inspired to create new formulas and improve the material's properties.
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Vulcanisation of rubber
Natural rubber, also known as "India rubber", was a miracle material in the early 19th century. However, it had significant drawbacks, including melting in high heat, deteriorating when exposed to chemicals and oils, and cracking when stressed. These limitations spurred rubber pioneers like Goodyear to seek ways to optimise rubber for commercial use.
Goodyear's discovery of vulcanisation was accidental. One day, his rubber/sulfur mix fell onto a hot pan on the stove. Instead of melting and boiling, the mixture stabilised and hardened. When Goodyear increased the temperature, the mixture became even harder. Goodyear worked out a consistent system for this hardening process and patented it in 1844. He began producing rubber on an industrial scale, and licensed his patent to manufacturers.
The vulcanisation process involves treating rubber with sulfur or other compounds to improve its strength, heat resistance, and flexibility. Most rubber products today are vulcanised, as this process greatly improves their lifespan, function, and strength. Vulcanisation played a critical role in the rubber industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and it continues to be important for modern rubber manufacturers.
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First fully synthetic plastic
The creation of plastics has been a long process, with the earliest known plastic manipulated by humans believed to have been latex, used to craft balls and figurines in South America around 1600 BCE. However, the first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics".
Bakelite was created as a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator, to meet the needs of the rapidly electrifying United States. It was durable, heat resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production. It could be shaped or moulded into almost anything, earning it the nickname "the material of a thousand uses".
Bakelite was the first industrial plastic founded on a synthetic polymer. Its electrical and thermal insulating properties, coupled with its lightweight nature, led to its extensive application in items such as telephone casings, saucepan handles, electrical sockets, and ashtrays.
The development of Bakelite marked a turning point in the world's relationship with plastic. As new materials emerged on the market, the media began to collectively brand them "plastic", and the world soon became obsessed with this artificial material. The success and dominance of plastics since the early 20th century have had major benefits for mankind, from medical devices to lightweight construction materials.
However, the rise of plastic has also come at a cost. The natural world is struggling to keep up with the plastic pollution crisis, and plastic debris in the oceans was first observed in the 1960s. As of 2023, the cycle and movement of microplastics in the environment are still not fully understood, and particular concern has been raised about the impact of microplastics on terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
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Plastic's military applications
Plastic has been used in military applications since the 19th century, when it was first invented. In the late 19th century, the material celluloid, the first man-made plastic, was used for decorative items such as daguerreotype cases.
During World War II, the plastics industry in the United States expanded significantly, as industrial production was crucial to victory. The need to preserve scarce natural resources, such as rubber, made the production of synthetic alternatives a priority, and plastic provided those substitutes. Plastic was used for a wide range of military applications during the war, including parachutes, ropes, body armour, helmet liners, aircraft components, antenna housing, and enclosures for gun turrets. It was even essential for building the atomic bomb, as the containers for the volatile gases had to be corrosion-resistant.
The durability, lightweight, and weatherproof qualities of plastic make it ideal for tactical equipment. Plastic equipment is also easier to clean, as dirt, resins from armour, and oily products can be wiped off quickly. The combination of silica and plastic, for example, is comfortable for soldiers but hardens immediately upon impact.
Plastic has also been used in firearms, with Glock utilising plastic for a significant portion of its Glock 17 gun to reduce manufacturing costs. The prototype was approved after comprehensive testing, and Glock received thousands of procurement orders.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, became widely used for many military applications, leading to a rapid increase in its production in the United States in the early 1940s. Polystyrene was also used in military applications, particularly in post-WWII Germany for injection moulding, adhesives, emulsions, and foams.
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Plastic's environmental impact
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, marking the beginning of the world's fascination with plastic. The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was then invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". The creation of plastics has had major benefits for mankind, ranging from medical devices to light-weight construction materials. However, the success and dominance of plastics have also come at a price, with plastic pollution becoming a significant environmental concern.
Plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and the process of extracting these fuels can have detrimental health and environmental impacts. The infrastructure involved in the extraction process releases hundreds of toxins, which can cause a range of health issues, from damage to sensory organs to increased likelihoods of cancer. Furthermore, plastic production contributes to climate change, with annual emissions related to plastic production in the EU amounting to around 13.4 million tonnes of CO2.
Plastics are designed to be durable, but this very feature becomes a problem when they end up in the environment. Plastics do not break down quickly and can persist for hundreds or even thousands of years. As a result, plastic waste accumulates in the air, waterways, soils, rivers, and oceans, leading to the ubiquitous presence of plastic pollution in natural and built environments. Marine plastic pollution, for instance, creates garbage patches and puts marine species at risk of ingestion, suffocation, or entanglement.
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. They can be ingested or inhaled by organisms, accumulating in their bodies and tissues. This includes humans, as microplastics have been detected in various systems, such as the placenta, stool, and food sources. The health consequences of microplastics in the human body are still being understood, but they are associated with chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and an increased risk of stroke.
The plastic pollution crisis has emerged alongside the rapid rise in plastic production and usage. The versatility and low production cost of plastics have made them extremely popular, with global consumption accelerating. However, this has resulted in a significant amount of plastic waste, with only a small fraction being recycled or incinerated. Most plastic ends up in landfills or as plastic pollution, contributing to the environmental and health concerns associated with plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
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 anyone who could provide a substitute for ivory. This semi-synthetic material, known as Parkesine, quickly became an alternative to ivory and a solution for photographic film.
The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". It was durable, heat resistant, and could be moulded into various shapes.
Bakelite found extensive applications in items such as telephone casings, saucepan handles, electrical sockets, and ashtrays. Plastic was also used during World War II for parachutes, ropes, body armour, helmet liners, and aircraft windows.
