The birth of plastic is one of the major turning points in modern materials science. Below is a summary of the formation and development of plastics through history:
🧪 1. Early stage – Natural plastics (before the 19th century)
Before synthetic plastics, people knew how to use natural plastics from sources such as:
Gum, resin (such as pine resin)
Beeswax, shellac (from lac insects)
Natural rubber (from rubber trees)
These materials are used for waterproofing, making adhesives, or creating items such as combs, buttons, etc.
🧪 2. The appearance of the first synthetic plastic (1869)
1869 – American chemist John Wesley Hyatt invented Celluloid, the first plastic from plant cellulose, when he tried to replace ivory for making billiard balls.
Celluloid was commonly used to make combs, glasses, films, etc., but it was flammable and not durable.
🧪 3. The turning point – The first completely synthetic plastic (1907)
1907 – American-Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland created Bakelite – the first synthetic plastic not based on natural materials.
Bakelite is a phenol-formaldehyde resin, good insulation, heat resistance, and very durable. It is used in the production of electrical equipment, radios, telephones, and household appliances.
This is the birth of the modern plastic industry.
🧪 4. The 20th Century – The Explosion of New Plastics
From the 1930s to the 1970s, a series of new plastics were born:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – 1933
Polyethylene (PE) – 1933
Polystyrene (PS) – 1938
Nylon – 1935 (DuPont)
Teflon (PTFE) – 1938
Polypropylene (PP) – 1954
These plastics are lightweight, durable, insulating, easy to process, and cheap → used everywhere: packaging, household appliances, medicine, construction, cars…
🧪 5. Plastics in the 21st Century – Opportunities and Challenges
Plastics have become an indispensable material in life and industry.
However, the massive development of disposable plastics causes a global environmental crisis.
Currently, the world is moving towards:
Bioplastics, biodegradable plastics
Plastic recycling
Limiting the use of disposable plastics
✅ Summary of the plastic formation timeline:
Year Events
Before 1800s Using natural plastics (rubber, shellac…)
1869 Invention of Celluloid – the first semi-synthetic plastic
1907 Bakelite – the first completely synthetic plastic
1930s–1950s Birth of PVC, PE, PP, PS, Nylon…
Currently Moving towards bioplastics & sustainable development