While natural rubber has been used for thousands of years, the use of plastic and rubber to create a wide range of products has only been happening since the mid-1800s and it was until the 20th century that the first widely usable plastics were produced. Here are just a few of the many scientists that have contributed to the history of plastics.
Charles Goodyear was one of the first plastics pioneers, and he attempted to find a way to make rubber more durable. Rubber was being used to make some items, but it was unable to handle seasonal temperature extremes. Goodyear postulated that combining rubber with other substances could transform it into a highly durable substance that could withstand heat and cold. This process is known as vulcanization, and while Goodyear did not perfect the process, he is largely credited with inventing the process.
Thomas Hancock, on the other hand, and was the developer of vulcanite, rubber mixed with sulfur. Thomas Hancock was the one who first filed a patent before Charles Goodyear although there are still debates whether Hancock really was the one who invented vulcanization or he was just influenced by Goodyear's work. Thomas Hancock invented the machines that processed rubber though, and soon the rubber industry was booming. It was also a friend of his who named the vulcanization process after Vulcan who is the Roman God of fire.
It was during the years 1840s to the early 1900s that scientists continued their studies and development of the different types of plastic. Bakelite was the first kind of highly usable plastic invented and the inventor was Leo Baekeland, who began production of this plastic around 1907. This kind of plastic was produced from a reaction between phenol and formaldehyde, produced and widely used until the middle of the 20th century, and was used in the production of everything from radios to jewelry. His creation was known as the first of its kind thermoset plastic. This kind of plastic was the type that can only be used only once, creating a particular product. Thermoplastics were then invented, and these are the kinds that can be re-melted and used again.
During the 19th Century, many chemists were experimenting with chemicals to create new substances, and a few plastics were developed completely by accident. In 1835, a French chemist accidentally discovered a plastic known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and again a German chemist discovered it, in 1872. Neither chemist patented this substance and it was only in 1926 that a PVC version that was highly usable was developed, and the developer was Waldo Semon, a chemist working for B.F. Goodrich. Semon was a prolific chemist, registering more than 100 different patents, including the first patent for vinyl, a type of thermoplastic that he invented. As for PVC, this plastic is used for many items, particularly pipes.
Many plastics have been discovered by accident, such as polytetrafluroethylene, which is better known to all of us as Teflon. A chemist named Roy Plunkett accidently discovered this handy plastic while trying to invent a new type of refrigerant. Polyethylene, a thermoplastic which is used to make a huge variety of thermoformed packages and products also was discovered by accident by a German chemist in 1898. However, it wasn't until 1935 that this plastic was suitable for wide-spread use.
Charles Goodyear was one of the first plastics pioneers, and he attempted to find a way to make rubber more durable. Rubber was being used to make some items, but it was unable to handle seasonal temperature extremes. Goodyear postulated that combining rubber with other substances could transform it into a highly durable substance that could withstand heat and cold. This process is known as vulcanization, and while Goodyear did not perfect the process, he is largely credited with inventing the process.
Thomas Hancock, on the other hand, and was the developer of vulcanite, rubber mixed with sulfur. Thomas Hancock was the one who first filed a patent before Charles Goodyear although there are still debates whether Hancock really was the one who invented vulcanization or he was just influenced by Goodyear's work. Thomas Hancock invented the machines that processed rubber though, and soon the rubber industry was booming. It was also a friend of his who named the vulcanization process after Vulcan who is the Roman God of fire.
It was during the years 1840s to the early 1900s that scientists continued their studies and development of the different types of plastic. Bakelite was the first kind of highly usable plastic invented and the inventor was Leo Baekeland, who began production of this plastic around 1907. This kind of plastic was produced from a reaction between phenol and formaldehyde, produced and widely used until the middle of the 20th century, and was used in the production of everything from radios to jewelry. His creation was known as the first of its kind thermoset plastic. This kind of plastic was the type that can only be used only once, creating a particular product. Thermoplastics were then invented, and these are the kinds that can be re-melted and used again.
During the 19th Century, many chemists were experimenting with chemicals to create new substances, and a few plastics were developed completely by accident. In 1835, a French chemist accidentally discovered a plastic known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and again a German chemist discovered it, in 1872. Neither chemist patented this substance and it was only in 1926 that a PVC version that was highly usable was developed, and the developer was Waldo Semon, a chemist working for B.F. Goodrich. Semon was a prolific chemist, registering more than 100 different patents, including the first patent for vinyl, a type of thermoplastic that he invented. As for PVC, this plastic is used for many items, particularly pipes.
Many plastics have been discovered by accident, such as polytetrafluroethylene, which is better known to all of us as Teflon. A chemist named Roy Plunkett accidently discovered this handy plastic while trying to invent a new type of refrigerant. Polyethylene, a thermoplastic which is used to make a huge variety of thermoformed packages and products also was discovered by accident by a German chemist in 1898. However, it wasn't until 1935 that this plastic was suitable for wide-spread use.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For further information about plastic thermoforming solutions or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please check out the Indepak website now.
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