The History of Plastics

What Are Plastics, and Where Did They Come From?

The term Plastic originally meant “pliable and easily shaped.”However it now refers to a category of materials called polymers which are long chains of molecules. Cellulose which is found in cell walls of plants, is a very common natural polymer.

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During this last century humans have developed the ability and knowledge to construct synthetic polymers. In some cases, natural substances such as cellulose are utilized but carbon atoms provided by petroleum and other fossil fuels are used most often. Synthetic polymers are similar to organic polymers as they are made up of long chains of atoms, arranged in repeating units but they are often much longer than the latter. The length of these chains, and the order in which they are aligned, result in polymers being strong, lightweight, and malleable. Although these properties make synthetic polymers exceptionally useful, I believe that in regards to the use of plastics, the cons strongly outweighs the pros.

The First Synthetic Plastic.

According to the Science History Institute, https://www.sciencehistory.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics,"The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who 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 put a strain on the supply of natural ivory, obtained through the slaughter of wild elephants. By treating cellulose, derived from cotton fiber, with camphor, to produce celluloid, Hyatt discovered a plastic that could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and ivory."

At this point in time, the idea of plastics was highly praised as plastic was something humans could use as a substitute for many materials such as wood, metal, bone and horn. This initially helped both people through its economical gains but also the environment as the other resources were less sought after and therefore not exhausted. The materials for creating the plastic was inexpensive which meant it was easily obtainable and it spread all throughout the world. This was the beginning of the plastic revolution. What seemed to be an environmental savior would turn out to be quite the opposite.

In 1907 Leo Baekeland accidentally invented Bakelite, the first plastic that was 100% synthetic, which meant it did not contain any molecules found in nature. He was searching for a synthetic substitute for shellac, a natural electrical insulator, to meet the demand of the rapidly growing electrifying United States. Bakelite was more than just a good insulator; it was also durable, heat resistant, and contrary to celluloid it was easy to mechanically mass produce. It was Marketed as “the material of a thousand uses,”. This fact would be the main reason why plastics became so harmful to the environment. 'Post Consumers', https://www.postconsumers.com/2011/10/31/how-long-does-it-take-a-plastic-bottle-to-biodegrade/ says that the average time it takes a bottle to decompose is 450 years but it can take some bottles up to 1000 years.