The Man Who Accidentally Invented Plastic

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Science Story

Topics: Chemistry, Polymers

Key Personalities: Leo Baekeland

Country: Belgium

Time: 1907

What makes the story captivating?:
A revolutionary invention that happened accidently and changed our lives forever

Story:

Leo Hendrik Baekeland was born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1863 to a family of wealthy industrialists. In his youth, Baekeland showed great promise as an inventor and scientist. He studied chemistry at the University of Ghent and later at the University of Berlin, where he met Alexander Brown Parker, who would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.

In 1891, Baekeland moved to the United States and took a job with a chemical company in New York City. While working there, he developed an improved version of Parker's shellac-based photographic emulsion. This product was used to coat photographic plates, making them less sensitive to light and allowing for faster exposures.

In 1907, Baekeland was experimenting with creating an artificial shellac material when something ununsual happened. While heating up some phenol and formaldehyde, he noticed that a sticky substance had formed on the beaker's walls. This accidental discovery would lead to the creation of one of the world's first plastic- Bakelite.

Bakelite was one of the first plastics ever invented and it was an instant hit. It was inexpensive to produce, durable, and could be molded into practically any shape. Soon it began to replace traditional materials like wood, metal, and glass in a wide variety of applications. It was used to make everything from radios and telephones to kitchenware and automobiles.

In 1923, Baekeland founded General Electric Plastics, which would go on to become a leading manufacturer of plastics. It played a pivotal role in World War II, as the material for numerous items used in the war effort, including airplane parts, radio cabinets, and tank treads. After the war, GE plastics became a mainstay in American households, thanks to its affordability and durability.

Over the years, GE Plastics has developed a wide range of products, including everything from medical supplies to car parts. Today, GE Plastics is a global company with operations in over 30 countries. Thanks to Leo Baekeland's groundbreaking invention, we now live in a world where plastics are ubiquitous and play a vital role in our everyday lives.

Topics
Chemistry, Polymers