Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, but when and how was it invented? The story of plastic began with natural plastics like horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac, which have been used since ancient times. However, the first man-made plastic was created in the 19th century. Birmingham-born chemist Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, a plastic made from cellulose nitrate, in 1855. It was patented in 1862 and was a cheap substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell. However, the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland. Baekeland's invention combined formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure to create a material that could be mass-produced and molded into various shapes, revolutionizing manufacturing and consumer culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First man-made plastic | Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855 and patented in 1856 |
| First synthetic polymer | Invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland |
| First thermoplastic | Polystyrene, manufactured in 1931 |
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What You'll Learn
- Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, the first manufactured plastic, in 1862
- Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907
- John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer in 1869
- Plastic mass production began in the 1940s and 1950s
- Plastic production in the US increased by 300% during World War II
Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, the first manufactured plastic, in 1862
Plastic is a material that has become integral to our lives, with about 50 kg of plastic produced annually per person worldwide. The development of plastics has evolved from the use of naturally occurring plastic materials to chemically modified materials, and finally, to completely synthetic plastics.
Parkes' invention did not bring him commercial success, but it laid the foundation for others to develop plastic further. For example, John Wesley Hyatt, who founded the Celluloid Manufacturing Company in the US, improved upon Parkesine by adding camphor, making the material thinner and more malleable. This new version was named celluloid and could be used for piano keys, clothing, and a variety of other applications.
The creation of plastics revolutionised manufacturing and consumer goods, making a range of products more affordable and accessible to the masses. However, the dark side of this invention has also become apparent, with plastic waste polluting our oceans and harming marine life.
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Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907
Plastic is a material that has become integral to our lives, with about 50 kg of plastic produced annually per person worldwide. The development of plastic started with natural materials that exhibited plastic properties, such as gums, rubber, and shellac. Over time, humans chemically modified these materials to create semi-synthetic plastics.
Bakelite sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet desirable products. It was used for radio and telephone casings, kitchenware, clocks, jewellery, toys, and even firearms. Its success led major chemical companies to invest in the research and development of new polymers, leading to the discovery of new plastics.
While Bakelite was a groundbreaking invention, newer plastics invented in the 1930s that were easier and more affordable to produce superseded it by the late 1940s. During World War II, plastic was an essential material for the Allied forces due to its ease of production and the abundance of its ingredients. However, the dark side of plastic began to emerge as plastic waste accumulated in our oceans and waterways.
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John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer in 1869
Plastic is a material that has become integral to human life, with about 50 kg of plastic produced annually per person worldwide. The development of plastic started with natural materials that exhibited plastic properties, such as gums, rubber, horn, and tortoiseshell. Over time, humans chemically modified these materials to create semi-synthetic plastics like natural rubber, cellulose, collagen, and milk proteins.
In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer. Inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for a substitute for ivory, Hyatt treated cellulose derived from cotton fiber with camphor. This process created a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and imitated natural substances. Hyatt's invention was a game-changer, freeing human manufacturing from the limitations of nature.
Hyatt built upon the work of Alexander Parkes, who in 1855 invented Parkesine, considered the first manufactured plastic. Parkesine was a combination of cotton fibres dissolved in nitric and sulphuric acids, then mixed with vegetable oil. It served as an affordable substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell and was used for items like buttons, combs, and cutlery. However, it did not bring commercial success to Parkes.
Hyatt, a former factory manager for Parkes, took Parkesine and developed it into celluloid, a more versatile material that could be molded, shaped, drilled, polished, or pressed into thin sheets. This invention led to the founding of the Celluloid Manufacturing Company in the US and revolutionized the consumer goods industry, making items like combs and billiard balls accessible to the masses.
While Hyatt's invention was a significant milestone, it was not fully synthetic. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. Baekeland combined formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure to create a material that could be mass-produced and shaped into various products, sparking a consumer boom.
The creation of synthetic polymers like plastic has revolutionized human society, offering benefits beyond what natural materials could provide. However, plastic's slow degradation and persistence in the environment have led to concerns about its impact on ecosystems and the ingestion of microplastics by organisms, including humans.
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Plastic mass production began in the 1940s and 1950s
The story of plastic began in the 19th century, with the creation of natural plastics like Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes and patented in 1862. However, it was in the 1940s and 1950s that plastic mass production truly took off, with the development of new plastic types and their integration into various industries.
The lead-up to World War II and the war itself played a significant role in the rise of plastic mass production. The need for durable, lightweight, and inexpensive materials that could be quickly manufactured spurred the expansion of the plastic industry in the United States. Nylon, invented in 1935 by Wallace Carothers, was one such plastic that became essential during the war for parachutes, ropes, body armour, and helmet liners. Plexiglas, another wartime plastic, replaced glass in aircraft windows.
During the war, plastic production in the United States increased by 300%, and this surge continued in the post-war years. With the Great Depression and World War II over, Americans were eager to spend, and plastic goods became highly sought-after. From home decorations and furnishings to vehicles and packaging, plastic was increasingly used in everyday life. Injection moulding and thermoforming technologies further propelled the mass production of plastic items, making them more accessible and affordable worldwide.
In the 1940s, marketing campaigns contributed to the popularity of plastic goods. Formica tables, vinyl-covered chairs, televisions with plastic casings, and wall art became desirable items. By the 1950s, plastic had surpassed aluminium in production, and its use only continued to grow.
The discovery of new plastic types also fuelled the mass production trend. Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), discovered in 1941, became a widespread replacement for glass in Europe. Polypropylene, invented by Giulio Natta in 1954, began manufacturing in 1957. Additionally, expanded polystyrene, used for building insulation, packaging, and cups, was introduced in 1954.
The versatility, durability, and affordability of plastic contributed to its mass production and integration into various aspects of daily life during the 1940s and 1950s. However, as plastic debris began to appear in oceans in the 1960s, public perception of plastic shifted, and concerns about waste and environmental impact grew in the following decades.
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Plastic production in the US increased by 300% during World War II
Plastic is a material that has become integral to our lives. The development of plastics evolved from the use of naturally occurring plastic materials, such as gums and shellac, to chemically modified materials, and finally, to completely synthetic plastics. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor. This discovery was revolutionary as it allowed human manufacturing to be free from the limits of nature.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland in New York. Bakelite combined two chemicals, formaldehyde and phenol, under heat and pressure. It was durable, heat-resistant, and ideal for mass production.
During World War II, plastic production in the United States increased by 300%. This massive expansion of the plastics industry was crucial to the war effort. The Allies' industrial strength was a key factor in their victory, and the need to conserve natural resources meant that the production of synthetic materials became a priority. Plastic provided inexpensive substitutes for scarce natural resources. Nylon, invented in 1935 as a synthetic silk, was used during the war for parachutes, ropes, body armour, and helmet liners. Plexiglas provided an alternative to glass for aircraft windows.
After the war, plastic continued to be produced and used extensively. It was viewed as an inexpensive and sanitary substance that could be shaped for various uses, including jewellery. Plastic also took the place of steel in cars, paper in packaging, and wood in furniture. DuPont's high-quality acrylic plastic resin, Lucite, was used in windows during World War II and later found a new application in jewellery.
The proliferation of consumer goods in the post-war era created an inflationary culture, and plastic became the material of choice for this expansion. Products made from polyethylene became popular, as they were lighter, more flexible, and less permanent than thermoset plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
The first man-made plastic, Parkesine, was invented by Birmingham-born artisan-cum-chemist Alexander Parkes in 1855. However, it was patented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869.
Parkesine was patented in 1862 and considered the first manufactured plastic. However, the world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland.
Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, in 1907.
