Omar Khalid
The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term plastics. However, the history of plastic development goes back much further, with humans tinkering with natural materials that could be considered precursors to plastics for thousands of years. The creation of Bakelite, a synthetic plastic derived from fossil fuels rather than plants or animals, marked the start of the world's obsession with plastic and the birth of the modern plastics era.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Inventor | Alexander Parkes |
| Year of Invention | 1862 |
| Name of Plastic | Parkesine |
| Type of Plastic | Semi-synthetic |
| Composition | Cellulose treated with nitric acid to create pyroxillin, dissolved in alcohol |
| Properties | Transparent, flexible, mouldable, durable |
| Uses | Buttons, combs, cutlery handles, substitute for ivory |
| Commercial Success | No |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
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What You'll Learn
Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine in 1862
Alexander Parkes, born on December 29, 1813, in Birmingham, England, was a metallurgist and inventor. He created Parkesine, the world's first plastic, in 1862. Parkes patented this revolutionary material, which was a cheap and colourful substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell. Parkesine made items like combs and billiard balls accessible to the masses, marking a significant shift in consumer goods and culture.
Parkes' invention was a game-changer, but he himself did not reap commercial success. Instead, his former factory manager, Daniel Spill, and businessman John Wesley Hyatt further developed and capitalised on Parkesine. Hyatt, inspired by a New York firm's offer of a substantial reward for an ivory substitute, created the first synthetic polymer in 1869, marking another milestone in the evolution of plastics.
While Hyatt's discovery was significant, it was Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland who pioneered the first fully synthetic plastic in 1907. Baekeland beat Scottish rival James Swinburne to the patent office by just one day. He named his invention Bakelite, which was a combination of formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure.
Bakelite sparked a consumer revolution, with its affordable yet desirable qualities making it ideal for emerging design trends such as Art Deco. Iconic products like the Purma camera, the GPO telephone, and the Ekco AD36 radio became synonymous with Bakelite. The success of Bakelite and Parkesine laid the foundation for the Plastics Age, with the 20th and 21st centuries witnessing a proliferation of plastic production and usage.
The impact of plastic extended beyond convenience and aesthetics. It played a crucial role in World War II, with major chemical companies investing in the research and development of new polymers. Nylon, invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935, was used for parachutes, ropes, body armour, and helmet liners. Plastic became an indispensable part of military and industrial might, solidifying its place in human history.
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John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid
John Wesley Hyatt, born in 1837, was an American inventor with over 200 patents to his name. He is credited with creating celluloid, a plastic material that revolutionised the way we create and use products. Hyatt's invention built upon the work of Alexander Parkes, who in 1862 created Parkesine, a semi-synthetic material made from cellulose nitrate.
Hyatt's innovation involved adding camphor to Parkesine to make it thinner and more malleable. This new material, which he named celluloid, was highly versatile due to its ability to be moulded, shaped, drilled, polished, or pressed into thin sheets. It could be used for everything from piano keys to a substitute for linen in clothing.
The creation of celluloid was inspired by a New York firm's offer of $10,000 for anyone who could provide a substitute for ivory. The growing popularity of billiards had led to a strain on the supply of natural ivory, which was obtained through the slaughter of wild elephants. Celluloid provided an attractive solution, as it could be crafted into various shapes and made to imitate natural substances.
Hyatt's invention of celluloid played a significant role in the development of the plastics industry. It influenced Leo Baekeland, who invented Bakelite, the world's first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907. Baekeland's invention combined formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure to create a material that was easily mass-produced and highly desirable.
The success of Hyatt's celluloid and Baekeland's Bakelite sparked a consumer boom and marked the start of the world's obsession with plastic. These innovations led to a revolution in product design, making consumer goods more affordable and widely accessible.
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Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite in 1907
The world's first fully synthetic plastic was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-born American chemist and inventor. He named his invention Bakelite, which was created from phenol and formaldehyde, combined under heat and pressure. Baekeland's discovery of Bakelite marked a significant milestone in the history of materials science and industrial chemistry, paving the way for the modern plastics industry.
Baekeland was born in Ghent, Belgium, on 14 November 1863, to a cobbler and a housemaid. He developed an early interest in science and chemistry, which led him to pursue higher education in these fields. After completing his doctorate in chemistry at the University of Ghent in 1882, he spent much of his career in the United States.
Prior to his groundbreaking work with plastics, Baekeland had already made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. In 1887, he invented a process to develop photographic plates using water instead of other chemicals, and he patented this process in Belgium. In 1893, he invented Velox photographic paper, which brought him wealth and allowed him to pursue his interests further.
Bakelite was a revolutionary invention as it was the first synthetic plastic made entirely from synthetic components rather than natural substances. It could be easily moulded into various shapes and colours, making it popular for consumer products such as radios, telephones, jewellery, and kitchenware. Additionally, it was inexpensive, non-flammable, and versatile, with excellent electrical insulation and heat resistance. These properties led to its widespread use in electrical insulators, radios, telephones, and other industrial applications.
Baekeland's invention of Bakelite had a profound impact on manufacturing, technology, and everyday life. It sparked a consumer boom in affordable yet desirable products and laid the foundation for the development of modern materials science and industrial chemistry. Baekeland's work earned him the title of "The Father of the Plastics Industry", and he received numerous awards and honours during his lifetime, including the Perkin Medal in 1916 and the Franklin Medal in 1940.
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PVC was first patented before WWI
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was first synthesized in 1872 by German chemist Eugen Baumann. Baumann accidentally left a flask of vinyl chloride in sunlight for several weeks, and a white solid later appeared in the flask. This was PVC. However, Baumann did not patent his discovery.
In 1913, German inventor Friedrich Heinrich August Klatte became the first person to patent PVC. He developed a polymerization method for vinyl chloride that utilized sunlight. After this, companies around the world began experimenting with PVC.
In the early 20th century, Waldo Semon, an industrial scientist working for B.F. Goodrich, was tasked with developing a synthetic alternative to natural rubber. He began experimenting with PVC, but the project was threatened by the recession of 1920. Semon persevered and found a way to use PVC as a water-resistant coating for fabrics. This innovation sparked high demand for the material, which was adopted as an insulator for wiring on military ships during World War II.
While PVC was first synthesized and patented before World War I, it was not until the 1920s that its commercial potential was realized. With the development of a method to plasticize PVC by blending it with additives, the material could be produced on a large scale and incorporated into a variety of products.
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Nylon was invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935
The 20th century witnessed a revolution in plastic production, with the advent of entirely synthetic plastics. Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland pioneered the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, in 1907. However, the quest for new forms of plastics continued, leading to various innovations in the 1920s and beyond.
One such innovation was nylon, invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935. Carothers was an American chemist, inventor, and the leader of organic chemistry at DuPont. He is credited with the invention of nylon and the development of modern polymer science. Carothers' research confirmed the existence of molecules of extremely high molecular weight and demonstrated that they were ordinary molecules, only longer.
The invention of nylon was a result of Carothers' work with polymers, very large molecules with repeating chemical structures. In April 1930, a lab assistant working with esters discovered a strong polymer that could be drawn into a fiber. However, this polyester fiber had a low melting point. Carothers then shifted his focus to working with amides, which are derived from ammonia.
On February 28, 1935, under Carothers' direction, his colleague Gerard Berchet produced a half-ounce of polymer from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, creating polyamide 6-6, which became known as Nylon. This polyamide was challenging to work with due to its high melting point, but it was chosen for commercial development. Nylon was introduced to the world in 1938 and revolutionized the textile industry, leading the way for a variety of synthetic materials that have had a significant impact on daily life worldwide.
Nylon was the first totally synthetic fiber used in consumer products and was prepared wholly with materials derived from coal, air, and water. It had superior properties to its natural counterparts, such as silk, and was used to create nylon stockings, which went on sale in department stores in 1939.
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Frequently asked questions
Alexander Parkes is credited with creating the first plastic, Parkesine, in 1862. John Wesley Hyatt improved upon Parkesine, creating Celluloid.
Parkesine is a semi-synthetic material made from cellulose nitrate. It is a flexible material that can be moulded, shaped, and coloured.
Celluloid is a plastic that John Wesley Hyatt created by pressing together nitrocellulose, camphor, and alcohol. It was used for piano keys, false teeth, and billiard balls.
Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907, was the world's first fully synthetic plastic.
