Alexei Volkov
The world's 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 the first real synthetic, mass-produced plastic and it opened the door to the Age of Plastics. However, the first plastic, Parkesine, was made by Birmingham-born artisan-cum-chemist Alexander Parkes in 1862 using cellulose. It was patented the following year and was considered the first manufactured plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the first man-made plastic | Parkesine |
| Creator | Alexander Parkes |
| Year of invention | 1856 or 1862 |
| Place of invention | Birmingham, England |
| Material used | Cellulose treated with nitric acid to create pyroxillin, which was then dissolved in alcohol |
| Properties | Transparent, flexible, could be moulded, shaped, and coloured when heated, and cooled to a hard, durable material |
| Uses | Substitute for ivory, used for buttons, combs, and handles for cutlery |
| Patented | Yes, in 1862 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first man-made plastic, Parkesine, was made by Alexander Parkes in 1862
- Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland created Bakelite, the first synthetic, mass-produced plastic
- John Wesley Hyatt invented celluloid, a substitute for ivory in billiard balls
- Plastic's environmental impact: Concerns about the potential threat plastics pose to human health
- Plastic's benefits: Plastic has been critical to modern life, from medical devices to light-weight construction materials
The first man-made plastic, Parkesine, was made by Alexander Parkes in 1862
Parkes' invention was a significant breakthrough, as it demonstrated the potential for human manufacturing to transcend the limits of nature. Before Parkesine, human manufacturing relied on finite natural resources such as wood, metal, stone, bone, tusk, and horn. With the creation of Parkesine, however, it was now possible to generate new materials. This development not only benefited people but also helped protect the environment by reducing the need for certain natural resources.
Parkesine found practical applications in the production of affordable consumer goods such as buttons, combs, and handles for cutlery. Its ability to be moulded and shaped into various forms made it a versatile material. However, it was celluloid, invented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1868, that truly revolutionised the industry. Celluloid replaced ivory in billiard balls and was later used in cinema film.
Despite not achieving commercial success himself, Parkes' invention of Parkesine laid the foundation for the development of plastics. His work inspired and was built upon by others, including his former factory manager, Daniel Spill, and businessman John Wesley Hyatt, who founded the Celluloid Manufacturing Company in the US. The impact of Parkes' pioneering efforts in the creation of the first man-made plastic was recognised with his posthumous induction into the American Plastics Academy's Hall of Fame in 2005.
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Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland created Bakelite, the first synthetic, mass-produced plastic
The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. Baekeland coined the term "plastics" with his invention, which he named after himself.
Bakelite was created by combining two chemicals, formaldehyde and phenol, under heat and pressure. This resulted in a hard, mouldable, synthetic resin. Baekeland's initial intention was to find a synthetic replacement 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 (specifically Kerria lacca).
Bakelite was durable, heat resistant, and well-suited for mechanical mass production. It was marketed as "the material of a thousand uses" and could be shaped or moulded into almost anything, providing endless possibilities. For example, it was used to make the Purma camera, the GPO telephone, and the Ekco AD36 radio.
The creation of Bakelite sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet highly desirable products. It also opened the floodgates to a torrent of now-familiar synthetic plastics, such as polystyrene in 1929, polyester in 1930, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polythene in 1933, and nylon in 1935. These new materials were considered the height of glamour and were used in everything from military vehicles to radar insulation during World War II.
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John Wesley Hyatt invented celluloid, a substitute for ivory in billiard balls
John Wesley Hyatt, an American inventor, simplified the production of celluloid—a substitute for ivory in billiard balls. Hyatt was born in 1837 and began working as a printer at the age of 16. He had a prolific career as an inventor, with nearly 238 patents to his credit, including improvements to sugar cane mills and water filtration devices.
Hyatt's journey with celluloid began in the late 1860s when he saw an advertisement offering a $10,000 award to anyone who could invent a usable substitute for ivory in billiard balls. At the time, ivory was becoming increasingly scarce and costly. Hyatt experimented with Parkesine, a hardened form of nitrocellulose invented by Englishman Alexander Parkes in 1862. Hyatt combined nitrocellulose, camphor, and alcohol, heating the mixture under pressure to make it pliable for moulding. He also developed the necessary machinery for working with this new material.
Hyatt's invention of celluloid was a significant milestone. Not only did it address the need for an ivory substitute in billiard balls, but it also found applications in various other products, such as denture plates, knife handles, ballpoint pen bodies, and toys. The discovery of celluloid laid the groundwork for the use of photographic film, which replaced the photographic plate in the late 1880s.
While Hyatt's contribution to the development of celluloid was significant, it is important to note that the true inventor of the first plastic was indeed Alexander Parkes, who created Parkesine. However, due to his invention's lack of commercial success, others, including Hyatt, further developed and exploited the potential of this new material.
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Plastic's environmental impact: Concerns about the potential threat plastics pose to human health
The first man-made plastic was created by Alexander Parkes, a metallurgist and inventor from Birmingham, England. He called his invention Parkesine, and it was the first thermoplastic, made from cellulose. Parkesine was patented in 1862 and exhibited at the International Exhibition in London that same year. It was a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell and could be moulded when heated, retaining its shape when cooled.
Plastics Environmental Impact and Human Health Concerns
The world is facing a plastics crisis. Plastic pollution is found everywhere, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs, and is negatively impacting people and the environment at every stage of its lifecycle. The production of plastic contributes to climate change, as the industry relies on fossil fuels for its raw materials.
The incineration of plastic waste disperses toxic chemicals into the air, contaminating water and soil, which is lethal to all who come into contact with it. Plastic pollution in the ocean breaks down into microplastics, which are consumed by marine life and end up in our food and water. Microplastics have been found in human livers, kidneys, and placentas.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health globally. Scientific results indicate that plastic causes diseases, disabilities, and premature death at every stage of its lifecycle. Plastics contain carcinogenic chemicals, which can cause cancer and alter hormone activity (endocrine disruption), leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments.
Children and infants in the womb are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastics, as early development is particularly sensitive to hazardous chemicals. Exposure to plastics has been linked to increased risks of birth complications, lung growth issues, and childhood cancer.
The global cost of plastic-related health effects was estimated at $100 billion per year in 2022.
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Plastic's benefits: Plastic has been critical to modern life, from medical devices to light-weight construction materials
Plastic has played a critical role in modern life, with applications ranging from medical devices to construction materials. Its unique characteristics, such as plasticity, durability, flexibility, and low weight, have made it a versatile material in various industries.
One of the significant contributions of plastic to modern life is in the field of medicine. Plastics facilitate clean drinking water supplies and are used in medical devices, surgical equipment, drips, aseptic medical packaging, and pill blister packs. Additionally, plastics have improved the performance and reduced the costs of building materials. They are used in lightweight fixings, window and door frames, insulation materials, and construction materials. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is commonly used in construction and pipes due to its strength and durability.
Plastics have also enhanced recreational activities. For instance, sports equipment such as footballs, tennis racquets, and golf clubs utilise plastics to improve performance and durability. Furthermore, plastics have enabled innovative designs in renewable energy technologies. Solar water heaters and photovoltaic collectors rely on plastics' lightweight, mouldability, UV resistance, and insulation properties.
The development of plastics has a long history, evolving from natural materials with plastic properties to synthetic polymers. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who created a plastic substitute for ivory. However, the world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, marking a significant milestone in the history of plastics.
While plastics have brought numerous benefits, they have also raised environmental and health concerns due to their slow decomposition rate and the issue of plastic waste. Efforts are being made to address these challenges through recycling, incineration, and the development of biodegradable plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907, was the first fully synthetic plastic. It was derived from fossil fuels rather than plants or animals.
Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855, is considered the first plastic. It was made from cellulose nitrate and was a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell.
Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-born American, invented the first synthetic plastic, Bakelite.
