Plastics Change The World

History Of Plastics And How Has It Changed The World

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Alexander Parkes

In 1862 - World's First Man-Made Plastic Was Invented By ALEXANDER PARKES :

Alexander Parkes introduced the worlds' first man-made plastics at the london international exhibition.

Termed as "Parkesine" it was marketed as an alternative to ivory and horn.

It wasn't a commercial success but represented an important first step in the development of man-made plastic.

In 1870 - When Celluloid Was Invented :

Celluloid -  Celluloid is a class of materials produced by mixing nitrocellulose and camphor, often with added dyes and other agents. celluloid's contemporary uses are table tennis balls, musical instruments, combs, office equipment, and guitar picks.

Celluloid Flim

Parkesine didn't start to truly show its potential value until John Wesley Hyatt in new york discovered a way to manufacture its improved version.

He added camphor(commonly used in creams, ointments, and lotions), improving the plastic's malleability, and renamed its celluloid. 

In 1907 - World's First Entirely Synthetic Plastic Created :

While Parkesine was created from organic compounds, Leo Baekeland created the world's first entirely synthetic plastics called bakelite.

The first plastic made from synthetic components and marked the start of the modern plastics industry

Bakelite

In 1920 - Discovery Of Polymers :

Hermann Staudinger proved the existence of what we know today as polymers. Plastics are a subset of polymers, a broad term that can be used to describe any plastic as well as several, other naturally-occurring organic compounds. 

Even our own DNA is polymers.

WWII (World War II) Fuel Creations Of New Types Of Plastics :

A staggering number of plastic and chemical innovations emerged in the period surrounding World War II.

Nylon - invented by Wallace Carothers in 1935 as synthetic silk, was used during the war for parachutes, ropes, and body armor.

Polyethylene - invented in 1933, became one of the most versatile plastics. It is used today to make grocery bags, shampoo bottles, and more.

Plexiglas - provided an alternative to glass for aircraft windows.

Expanded polystyrene - was created accidentally in 1941 and the sturdy lightweight plastic became a useful thermal insulator and shock-absorber.

A Growing Market For Plastics :

After the war, plastics manufacturers turned into making consumer products. 

Plastics began to replace other materials like wood and wool in furniture, clothing, shoes, etc.

Polyester was introduced in the 1950s, and polypropylene, today one of the most used polymers in the world, started being used as a commodity.

Polyester 

In The 1960s :

The polysulfone family of thermoplastics, introduced in 1965, were used on Apollo-era spacesuits.

Synthetic fiber Kevlar, which was also introduced in 1965, was first used in the racing industry to replace steel in tyres. It has since found many other modern uses, most notably in bulletproof vests.

In The 1970s and beyond :

In the 1970s, there was a growing concern over the mass use of plastic and its impact on the environment. 

Consumers and companies were urged to refocus on biobased and biodegradable plastics.

The bioplastics of the late 1980s and early 1990s were a response to these concerns, but the products failed to meet consumer expectations.

PLASTICS in the  21st century :

Today, it is hard to imagine a world without plastics as they find a use in sectors ranging from healthcare, automotive, packaging, aerospace, construction and everything in between. 

In 1950, 2.3 mn tons of plastic was manufactured. 

This figure increased to 448 mn tons by 2015.

Despite growing awareness of the harms it causes to the environment, as per data, 91% of the non-biodegradable substance isn't recycled.

Please aware to use plastics because it will destroy our world and our living environment,

 

Please use 100% Bio-Degradable plastics or cloth bags it will reduce the plastics pollution,

We are living in the world so we are responsible to protect our world.

Avoid Plastics           

Thank You

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