Sofia Martinez
The creation of synthetic plastic marked the beginning of the Polymer Age, an era defined by the development and use of plastics. 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 imitations of natural substances. However, it wasn't until 1907 that the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. This polymeric plastic, made from phenol and formaldehyde, revolutionized the material basis of modern life and sparked a consumer boom in the early 20th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the first synthetic plastic | Bakelite® |
| Inventor | Leo Hendrik Baekeland |
| Year of Invention | 1907 |
| Country of Invention | United States |
| Basis of Invention | Phenol and formaldehyde |
| Basis of Invention (Other) | Thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin polyoxybenzylmethyl-englycolanhydride |
| Basis of Invention (Other) | A phenol-formaldehyde binder for asbestos |
| Basis of Invention (Other) | A soluble phenol-formaldehyde shellac called Novolak |
| Previous Inventions | Velox photographic paper |
| Previous Inventions | Developed his own photographic paper |
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What You'll Learn
- Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland invented the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, in 1907
- Bakelite was made by combining phenol and formaldehyde under heat and pressure
- John Wesley Hyatt invented Celluloid, the first synthetic polymer, in 1869
- Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, considered the first manufactured plastic, in 1862
- The creation of synthetic plastics was driven by the need for alternatives to natural resources
Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland invented the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, in 1907
Bakelite was a significant invention as it was the first plastic that contained no molecules found in nature. 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.
Baekeland's inventive and entrepreneurial genius propelled him into several other new chemical technological ventures throughout his life. He had previously invented Velox, an improved photographic paper that could be developed in gaslight rather than sunlight. This invention made Baekeland wealthy, and he set up a well-equipped research laboratory in his home.
Baekeland's original Bakelizer, the steam pressure vessel he used to commercialize Bakelite, was designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark in 1993. It is now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
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Bakelite was made by combining phenol and formaldehyde under heat and pressure
The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite was invented in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland. Bakelite was made by combining phenol and formaldehyde under heat and pressure.
Baekeland's initial intention was to find a replacement for shellac, a natural electrical insulator that was in limited supply. Shellac was made from the secretion of lac insects (specifically Kerria lacca). Baekeland discovered that phenol and formaldehyde, when combined under heat and pressure, formed a complex network of molecules called phenol formaldehyde resin. This resin is a thermosetting polymer, meaning it can be cured by heat or pressure into a hard and rigid material that cannot be melted or reshaped.
The process of making Bakelite sheets involves applying heat and pressure to layers of paper or fabric impregnated with Bakelite resin in a press. The layers are stacked together and placed between metal plates in a hydraulic press. The press then applies heat and pressure to cure the resin and form a solid sheet of Bakelite. This sheet can then be cut, drilled, milled, or turned into various shapes and sizes.
Baekeland's discovery of Bakelite sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet desirable products. It had a dark brown, wood-like appearance and could be easily mass-produced, making it ideal for bringing new design trends such as Art Deco to the masses. The success of Bakelite inspired the development of other synthetic plastics and marked the beginning of the Polymer Age.
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John Wesley Hyatt invented Celluloid, the first synthetic polymer, in 1869
Hyatt's invention of Celluloid was inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for a substitute for ivory, which was used for billiard balls. By treating cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor, Hyatt discovered a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and imitations of natural substances. This was a significant breakthrough as it freed human manufacturing from the limitations of nature.
Celluloid was inexpensive and revolutionised the plastics industry, making material wealth more accessible and obtainable. It could be crafted into a variety of shapes and items, such as combs, silent-movie film, and billiard balls, making these products more affordable and accessible to the masses.
However, it is important to note that Celluloid was not a fully synthetic plastic as it was made by modifying natural materials. It would be over 40 years until Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the world's first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907. Baekeland, a Belgian-born chemist and entrepreneur, carefully controlled the pressure and temperature applied to phenol and formaldehyde to produce a hard, mouldable plastic.
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Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, considered the first manufactured plastic, in 1862
The creation of plastics has had a profound impact on our world, and the quest to develop materials with unique properties beyond those found in nature has been a long-standing human endeavour. One of the earliest pioneers in this field was Alexander Parkes, who, in 1862, patented Parkesine, considered the first manufactured plastic.
Parkes was a Birmingham-born artisan and chemist who recognised the potential of cellulose nitrate, a material created by dissolving cotton fibres in nitric and sulphuric acids and then mixing them with vegetable oil. This innovation marked a significant step forward, as it provided a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell, which had become increasingly scarce due to the demand for billiard balls and other consumer goods.
While Parkes himself did not achieve commercial success, his invention laid the foundation for others to build upon. His former factory manager, Daniel Spill, and businessman John Wesley Hyatt, further developed Parkesine. Hyatt, in particular, played a pivotal role in the history of plastics. Inspired by the need for an ivory substitute, he treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor, creating a plastic that could be crafted into various shapes and mimic natural substances. This discovery, known as celluloid, revolutionised manufacturing by freeing it from the limitations of nature.
The work of Hyatt and others set the stage for the next significant advancement in plastics: the creation of fully synthetic plastic. In 1907, Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, a polymeric plastic made from phenol and formaldehyde. This invention marked the beginning of the Polymer Age, where completely synthetic materials transformed modern life. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and highly desirable, sparking a consumer boom and finding its way into countless products, from jewellery to radios.
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The creation of synthetic plastics was driven by the need for alternatives to natural resources
Humans have always sought to create materials that offer benefits not found in natural materials. The creation of synthetic plastics was driven by the need for alternatives to natural resources, such as ivory, and the desire to develop materials with unique properties. The development of plastics began with the use of natural materials with intrinsic plastic properties, such as shellac and chewing gum. However, the depletion of natural resources, such as ivory, due to human activities, also played a role in the search for alternatives.
The evolution of plastics involved the chemical modification of natural materials. For example, in 1862, Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell, by treating cellulose nitrate with nitric and sulphuric acids and then mixing it with vegetable oil. John Wesley Hyatt, who worked with Parkesine, further developed it into celluloid by adding camphor to the mix. This plastic could be crafted into a variety of shapes and was used for everything from hair combs to silent movie film. However, these early plastics were still made from natural materials and were not fully synthetic.
The race to create the first fully synthetic plastic was won by Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907. He created Bakelite, a polymeric plastic made from phenol and formaldehyde, which could be mass-produced and shaped into various products. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and suitable for mechanical mass production, making it ideal for bringing new design trends to the masses. It sparked a consumer boom and transformed the material basis of modern life.
The success of inventors like Hyatt and Baekeland led major chemical companies to invest in the research and development of new polymers. The plastics industry received a significant boost during World War II, as synthetic materials were needed to preserve scarce natural resources and for various military applications. Nylon, invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935, was used for parachutes, ropes, body armour, and helmet liners during the war. The production of synthetic plastics continued to grow after the war, as Americans were ready to spend again, and much of what they bought was made of plastic.
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