Bakelite In The Limelight
Teaching Technology
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Though possibly an event of dubious distinction to environmentalists and others, the American Chemical Society will commemorate the invention of "bakelite," the world's first plastic, with ACS's first National Historic Chemical Landmark designation on November 9. Bakelite was the invention of Leo H. Baekeland, a Belgian-born chemist who developed the material in Yonkers, N.Y., 90 years ago. ACS will mark the occasion at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., where the first "bakelizer," the landmark device used to form bakelite and nicknamed "Old Faithful," is housed. Bakelite and plastic gained in popularity in the 1930s, when colors were introduced. Bakelite radios and even plastic jewelry designed by such artists as Jean Schlumberger and Salvador Dali had a heyday from the 1920s to 1940s. Today, bakelite items may ...
