The History of Polymer Plastics (1900-2017)

Events

J. Kondakov (Ger.) synthesized methyl rubber poly (dimethylbutadiene)

1900

J. Edwin Brandenberger (USA) invented cellophane used in thin films for fabrics and packaging providing major applications for many years.

1905

Leo Baekeland patents Bakelite, the first major thermoset material to replace wood, ivory, ebonite, etc.

1909

Formica electrical insulation laminate was produced by H. Faber and D O’Conor (USA) using p/f resin impregnated paper plies.

1910

I. Ostromislensky (Russ.) patented the polymerisation of vinyl chloride to give unstable PVC polymer (unstable when not modified).

1912

Klatte produced polyvinyl acetate.

1913

Hans Johns patented urea-formaldehyde resins.1

1918

Peter Schidrowitz prepared prevulcanized latex, leading to the ‘dipped rubber goods’ industry.

1920

Herman Staudinger (Ger.) proposed long chain molecular structures for polymers and synthesised rubber.

1922

Edmund Rossiter developed water-white transparent mouldings from thiourea-formaldehyde resins (marketed as Beetle resins from 1928).

1924 - 1928