Plastics have their origins in ancient times when Egyptians would wrap bodies in cloth and resin to prevent decay. The modern plastic industry began in the 1860s with the development of parkesine and celluloid, the first semi-synthetic plastics. In 1909, Dr. Leo Baekeland invented bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, which had excellent electrical properties and replaced rubber in many applications. World War II accelerated plastic production as alternatives were needed for limited natural materials. After the war, production expanded rapidly with new plastics like polystyrene, nylon, polyethylene, and polyurethane being used in many products. Today plastics are one of the most widely used materials globally.

1. The History of Plastics
Plastic Tech 1

2. Introduction
 Plastics are said to be the most versatile
materials on earth.
 Almost all of the products we use in our
daily lives contain plastics.
 How has the plastic industry changed the
world we live in?

3. Early Stages of Plastic
 Goes back as far as the Egyptians.
 Would wrap their dead with cloth and resin
which would harden into a shell.
 Would stop the body from decaying.
 Greek word plastikos
 Keratin
 First natural plastic used in the United States
 Made from fingernails, animal hoofs, horns, turtle
shells
 Early combs

4. Rubber’s Helping Hand
 Charles Goodyear's 1839
 Vulcanization process for natural
rubber
 Adding sulfur enhanced the elasticity
and strength of the natural
rubber “hard rubber”
 Process is still used today

5. The Modern Era
 Alexander Parkes 1862
 Developed the first early semi-synthetic plastic
 Parkesine
 Could be heated and formed
 Buttons, combs, small picture frames, pens
 High cost to manufacture slowed the growth

6. John Wesley Hyatt
 Celluloid 1868 John Wesley Hyatt
 First semi-synthetic commercial plastic
 Developed as a substitute for Ivory
 Combs, shirt collars & cuffs, billiard balls, film
 Very flammable material

7. Dr. Leo Baekeland
 Phenol-formaldehyde “Bakelite” 1909
 First 100% synthetic plastic
 Excellent electrical properties replaced rubber
for insulation
 Used for early records, phones, camera parts
 Thermoset resin

8. War Developments
 New plastics were developed due to
limited natural materials
 Rubber, Steel & Copper
 War effort products
 Airplane fabrics, gas masks, canteens,
radar cable insulation, synthetic rubber

9. Post War Developments
War developments increased
plastic production tremendously
 1960’s 6 billion lbs.
Polystyrene
 Furniture parts, packaging, toys
Nylon
 Gears, rope, fishing line, stockings

10. Post War Developments
Polyethylene
 Hoola Hoop, plastic bottle, paint brush
Teflon
 “Frictionless”- Du Pont Invention
Polyurethanes
 Flexible foam - cushions, dashboards
Polycarbonate
 Replaced glass- stronger

11. Current Day
 Since 1960’s the industry has grown
+-15% annually
 1983 the production surpassed iron &
steel
 Packaging industry is largest market
for plastics
 Plastic bottles, Tupperware, product
packaging

12. Why or why not Plastic?
 Advantages: Light, strong, flexible, or
rigid, colored or clear, will not rust or
corrode, electrical properties,
inexpensive
 Disadvantages: poor tolerance to
heat, hard to repair, non-
biodegradable

14. Review
 What was the name of the first all natural
plastic?
 Who developed the first commercial plastic?
 What was the name of the plastic that was
developed in 1909 which revolutionized the
plastic industry?
 What industry is the largest user of plastic?
Keratin
Packaging
Bakelite
John Wesley Hyatt