Who Invented Plastic? The Material That Changed the World

Plastic is one of the most widely used materials in the world today, but its origins are rooted in experimentation, necessity, and creativity. The name “plastic” comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to mold—a fitting term for a material that can be shaped into virtually anything.

The First Plastic: Parkesine

The journey began in 1862 when Alexander Parkes, a British inventor from Birmingham, introduced the world to the first man-made plastic. He called it Parkesine, crafted by treating cellulose with nitric acid and a solvent. When heated, this material could be molded into various forms, and once cooled, it retained its shape permanently.

Parkes presented his creation at the Great International Exhibition in London, where it earned him a bronze medal. He hoped Parkesine would replace rubber, but the high cost of raw materials made it commercially unviable at the time.

Celluloid: A Practical Advancement

In the late 1800s, billiards was becoming popular, and ivory was the primary material for making billiard balls. The hunt for a less expensive and more ethical alternative led to John Wesley Hyatt, an American inventor.

After accidentally spilling collodion in his workshop, Hyatt noticed it dried into a strong but flexible film. Through experimentation, he discovered that by combining collodion with camphor and applying heat and pressure, he could produce a durable material—celluloid.

Although it wasn’t ideal for billiard balls, celluloid became the basis for flexible film and was widely used in early photography and cinema.

Bakelite: The First Fully Synthetic Plastic

The most groundbreaking moment in plastic history came in 1907 when Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-American chemist, invented Bakelite—the first fully synthetic plastic. Using a machine he called a Bakelizer, Baekeland carefully controlled heat and pressure to synthesize a new material made from phenol and formaldehyde.

Unlike earlier plastics, Bakelite didn’t rely on any natural materials like cellulose. It was heat-resistant, non-conductive, and retained its shape once set—qualities that made it invaluable during World War II for manufacturing electronics, weapon parts, and insulation.

Even today, Bakelite is used in electrical fittings, kitchenware, and various consumer products due to its durability and resistance to chemicals and heat.

Plastics in the Modern World

Plastic has evolved into an essential component of daily life. From packaging to electronics, automotive parts to medical devices, it’s difficult to imagine a world without it. While plastics have transformed industry and convenience, their environmental impact—especially their non-biodegradable nature—remains a significant concern today.