Bakelite
was the first synthetic plastic; it was developed by Leo
Baekeland between the years of 1907-09. Bakelite was a revolutionary
new product that could be mass produced due to ability to be shaped
when heated and then set into pattern molds. Bakelite was known as a
thermoplastic - a product that once set would be nonconductive and heat-resistant.
As an electrical insulator it became popular in the growing electrical
industry.
"The substance,
originally intended as a shellac substitute, turned out to be an astonishing
multi-purpose talent. It was superior to other substances in many regards
and employable in varied fields so that BAEKELAND hit on the marketing
slogan "The Material of a Thousand Uses". Already in the twenties
the first entire synthetic plastic was indispensable in most industry
branches. - The plastic era had begun."
Bakelite Museum
Bakelite is used
for radios, clocks, jewellery and door handles and light switches found
in the twenties and thirties homes.
Links
to Bakelite Articles
Zimmermann's
Virtual Bakelite Museum
Somerset
Bakelite Museum
The
Bakelite Story: Marriott World
Bakelite
Museum
Ghent
Bakelite Museum
The
Science Museum: Plasticity
Cleaning
and Care of Bakelite Products
Bakelite
Products
Antique
Phones
Candlestick
& Bakelite online
Bakelite
Bauhaus Door Handles: Homebits
Architectural
Classics
Holloways
of Ludlow
Vintage
Bakelite Jewellery
Art-Decoratif
Deco
Girl Bakelite Boxes
Useful
Research Websites
BBC
Homes 1920's:
BBC
Homes 1930's
Hidden
House History
Francis
Frith Photo Archive
The
Geffrye Museum
English
Architecture: Britain Express
Looking
at Buildings: Pevsner Architectural Guides
Forum
Debates
Which
handles for 1930s doors?: Channel 4 Homes
Repairing
mangled up Door Handle fixings: Ultimate Handyman
1947
Video on the Bakelite Telephone- Youtube
Video
tour of Bakelite show: Youtube