Bakelite – Leo Baekeland
In 1907, shellac was commonly used to insulate the innards of early electronics — think radios and telephones. This was fine, aside from the fact that shellac is made from Asian beetle poop, and not exactly the cheapest or easiest way to insulate a wire. What Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland found in instead was — get ready — polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, the world’s first synthetic plastic, commonly known as Bakelite. This pioneering plastic was moldable into virtually any shape, in any color, and could hold its form against high temperatures and daily wear — making it a star among manufacturers, jewelers, and industrial designers.
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