Maya Ellison
The concept of plastic as we know it today is a modern phenomenon, but the use of materials with plastic properties dates back centuries. Natural materials such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac have been used since antiquity, with the Olmecs in Mexico playing with balls made of natural rubber over 1500 years ago. The word plastic comes from the ancient Greek plastikos, meaning pliable and easily shaped. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fiber with camphor to create a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and imitate natural substances. However, the birth of the modern plastics era is often attributed to the invention of Bakelite by Leo Baekeland in 1907, the first fully synthetic plastic derived from fossil fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1600 BCE to present |
| Origin | South America |
| First form | Latex |
| First European encounter with natural plastic | 18th century |
| First semi-synthetic plastic | Vulcanised rubber, discovered by Charles Goodyear |
| First manufactured plastic | Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855 or 1862 |
| First synthetic polymer | Invented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869 |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 |
| First plasticising of PVC | Waldo Semon and B.F. Goodrich, 1926 |
| First polystyrene | Styrofoam, industrial production began in 1930 |
| First polyamide | DuPont de Nemours, year unknown |
| First nylon | Invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935 |
| First polyethylene | Fawcett and Gibson at ICI |
| First plastic with recycled content | Unknown, but recycling began in the 1970s |
| Most common plastic production locations | East Asia, especially China |
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What You'll Learn
Natural materials with plastic properties
The concept of plastic started with the use of naturally plastic materials and the subsequent chemical modification of these materials. These natural materials include gums, shellac, natural rubber, cellulose, collagen, and milk proteins. For instance, in around 1600 BC, Mesoamericans used natural rubber for balls, bands, and figurines. In the Middle Ages, treated cattle horns were used as windows for lanterns. Materials that imitated horn were also developed by treating milk proteins with lye.
Cellulose
Cellulose is a natural polymer derived from wood and is considered a semi-synthetic material. It is one of the raw materials used to produce plastics today and is also found in natural materials like wood and cotton. Cellulose is often used in the production of cellophane, which has some plastic-like properties, such as being moldable and shapeable.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber, also known as polyisoprene, is a sticky and slightly runny material that can be hardened through a process called vulcanization. Vulcanization was discovered by Charles Goodyear in 1839, which accelerated the development of plastics. Natural rubber has been used by Mesoamericans for various purposes, showcasing its plasticity and moldability.
Plant Starches
Plant starches, such as corn starch, are natural materials that can be used as alternatives to traditional plastic. They are derived from sustainable sources like seaweed extract and plant starches, and do not require harmful chemicals during production. Plant starches can be molded and shaped into various forms, making them a viable replacement for petroleum-based plastics.
Sugarcane and Wheat Pulp (Bagasse)
Sugarcane and wheat pulps, also known as bagasse, are becoming popular replacements for traditional plastic materials. Bagasse is made from the fibrous remains of sugarcane stalks after juice extraction. It can be molded, shaped, and dried around food or beverage items, similar to plastic containers. Additionally, bagasse is biodegradable, making it a more environmentally friendly option compared to single-use plastics.
Mushroom Packaging
Mushroom packaging is another unique sustainable material that can replace traditional petroleum-based plastic. It is made by combining mycelium, the vegetative part of mushrooms, with other organic materials like corn husks and sawdust. This mixture can be molded into various shapes, such as bowls and trays, and is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic packaging.
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The first synthetic polymer
The word "plastic" originally meant "pliable and easily shaped". It has only recently been used to describe a category of materials called polymers. Polymers are made of long chains of molecules, and they are abundant in nature. Cellulose, which forms the cell walls of plants, is a common natural polymer.
Over the last century and a half, humans have learned to make synthetic polymers, using natural substances like cellulose, or carbon atoms from petroleum and other fossil fuels. These synthetic polymers are made up of long chains of atoms, often much longer than those found in nature, arranged in repeating units. The length of these chains and the patterns in which they are arranged make polymers strong, lightweight, and flexible.
Hyatt's discovery was built upon by others, including his former factory manager Daniel Spill, and businessman John Wesley Hyatt (no relation), who founded the Celluloid Manufacturing Company in the US. However, it was not until 1907 that the first fully synthetic plastic was invented by Leo Baekeland. Baekeland had been searching for a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator, to meet the needs of the rapidly electrifying United States. He invented Bakelite, a thermosetting phenol-formaldehyde resin that was durable, heat-resistant, and ideally suited for mechanical mass production.
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Bakelite: the first synthetic plastic
The word "plastic" originally meant
Humans have used naturally derived plastics for thousands of years. For example, medieval craftsmen made lantern windows out of translucent slices of animal horn. Horn is a polymer made of keratin, the same material that makes up skin, hair, and wool. The Olmecs in Mexico played with balls made of natural rubber over a millennium before Christ.
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fiber with camphor. This plastic could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate substances like tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and ivory. Hyatt's plastic provided a substitute for ivory, which was in short supply due to the growing popularity of billiards.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic. 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 well-suited for mechanical mass production. It could be shaped or molded into almost anything, earning it the nickname "the material of a thousand uses."
Bakelite's 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. Some objects made from Bakelite are now considered "retro" and are making a resurgence in contemporary home interiors.
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Plastic's role in World War II
The word "plastic" originally meant
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor, creating a plastic that 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.
The plastics revolution was accelerated by World War II, which necessitated a great expansion of the plastics industry in the United States. Industrial might proved as important as military success, and the need to preserve scarce natural resources made the production of synthetic alternatives a priority. Plastic production in the United States increased by 300% during the war.
Nylon, invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935 as a synthetic silk, was used during the war for parachutes, ropes, body armour, helmet liners, and more. Women gave up their newly discovered nylon stockings so they could be used for these war efforts. Newly created expanded polystyrene was used for thermal insulation and shock absorption in vehicles, and PVC was used to make everything from canvas for tents and water-repellent coatings for uniforms to hand grenades and tank components. Plexiglas provided an alternative to glass for aircraft windows.
The versatility of plastics demonstrated during the war carried over into the post-war years, with plastics becoming a part of everyday life. Injection moulding and thermoforming allowed plastic goods to be produced quickly and affordably, making items that used to be a luxury more accessible. Shampoo bottles and soda bottles switched from heavy glass to lightweight plastic, and paper bags were replaced with plastic options. By 1976, plastic had become the most-used material in the world.
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Plastic's environmental impact
The word "plastic" originally meant "pliable and easily shaped". Plastics are synthetic polymers, which are made of long chains of carbon atoms. Humans have been using naturally derived plastics for a long time, such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac. However, the creation of synthetic plastics has led to their widespread use and presence in our environment. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor. This plastic could be crafted into various shapes and used to imitate ivory, tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and other natural substances. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. It was durable, heat-resistant, and suitable for mechanical mass production.
The plastics revolution has had a significant impact on the environment. Plastic waste pollutes landscapes, oceans, air, and human bodies. It has even entered the fossil record. Plastic waste can fragment into smaller pieces, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, which have been found in every ecosystem on the planet. These microplastics can contaminate the surrounding environment, including air, water, and food, and enter the bodies of animals and humans. The ingestion and inhalation of microplastics can severely affect human health, leading to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and even stroke.
The production and use of plastics also contribute to climate change. In the EU, annual emissions related to plastic production amount to around 13.4 million tonnes of CO2, about 20% of the chemicals industry's emissions. Plastic waste also contributes to marine litter, with 85% of marine litter from land-based sources being plastic. This poses a significant threat to marine life, as it increases the risk of ingestion, suffocation, or entanglement for marine species.
The environmental impact of plastics is a growing concern, and efforts are being made to reduce plastic pollution and transition to a more circular and resource-efficient plastics economy. However, only a small fraction of plastic waste is economically or technically viable to recycle, and the concern is expanding to include the impact of plastics on ecosystems, food and water supplies, and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
The word plastic is derived from the Greek word 'plassein', which means "to mould". It was first used to describe a material that could be moulded and shaped.
The earliest known plastic manipulated by humans is believed to have been latex, which was used to craft balls and figurines in South America around 1,600 years before the Common Era.
The concept of plastic started in the 19th century with the development of synthetic plastics. 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.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907. Bakelite was created by combining formaldehyde with phenol, a waste product of coal, under heat and pressure.
Polymers are the chemical class of materials that make up all modern plastics. They are large molecules, consisting of a chain of repeating smaller molecules (monomers). Synthetic polymers are made by humans using natural substances like cellulose or more often using carbon atoms from petroleum and other fossil fuels.
