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.
One of the first people who pioneered in this industry was Charles Goodyear and his work was on finding ways to strengthen rubber, making it more durable. During those times, rubber was already in wide use, but extreme hot and cold temperatures made it an unreliable material. Goodyear's theory was that combining other substances with rubber would make it more durable and so it could handle changes in temperatures. The process eventually was named vulcanization and Goodyear is credited with inventing this process although he was not able to perfect it and figure out exactly what substance to blend with the rubber.
Rubber vulcanized with sulfur was then developed, and this was vulcanite developed by Thomas Hancock. There are debates whether Thomas Hancock invented vulcanization or he was just inspired by Charles Goodyear's works because Hancock actually was the first to file a patent for this. The machines for processing rubber though were really invented by Hancock and he made a successful industry out of these inventions. Vulcan, the Roman God of fire was the inspiration for this process, named vulcanization by a friend of his.
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.
There are many plastics that were being developed and studied throughout the 19th century and early 20th centuries, but often patents were not applied for or true stabilization was not obtained. PVC, for example, was actually discovered accidentally on two separate occasions. The first time was 1835 by a French chemist and it happened again in 1872, when a German chemist discovered it. It wasn't until 1926, however, that a highly usable version PVC was developed by Waldo Semon, a chemist who worked for B.F. Goodrich. Semon also invented vinyl, which is one of the world's most widely used plastics. Semon held more than 100 patents and it is because of his work that PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used to make strong plastic pipes, door frames, insulation for electrical cables and much more.
Teflon, or polytetrafluoroethylene, a kind of plastic material, was also discovered accidentally. This plastic material was discovered accidentally, while the invention was for a new type of refrigerant, and this was done by a chemist by the name Roy Plunkett. A German chemist in 1898 also discovered by accident the plastic product polyethylene, a thermoplastic used to make varieties of thermoformed products and packages. Widespread use of this plastic material was not seen until 1935 though.
One of the first people who pioneered in this industry was Charles Goodyear and his work was on finding ways to strengthen rubber, making it more durable. During those times, rubber was already in wide use, but extreme hot and cold temperatures made it an unreliable material. Goodyear's theory was that combining other substances with rubber would make it more durable and so it could handle changes in temperatures. The process eventually was named vulcanization and Goodyear is credited with inventing this process although he was not able to perfect it and figure out exactly what substance to blend with the rubber.
Rubber vulcanized with sulfur was then developed, and this was vulcanite developed by Thomas Hancock. There are debates whether Thomas Hancock invented vulcanization or he was just inspired by Charles Goodyear's works because Hancock actually was the first to file a patent for this. The machines for processing rubber though were really invented by Hancock and he made a successful industry out of these inventions. Vulcan, the Roman God of fire was the inspiration for this process, named vulcanization by a friend of his.
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.
There are many plastics that were being developed and studied throughout the 19th century and early 20th centuries, but often patents were not applied for or true stabilization was not obtained. PVC, for example, was actually discovered accidentally on two separate occasions. The first time was 1835 by a French chemist and it happened again in 1872, when a German chemist discovered it. It wasn't until 1926, however, that a highly usable version PVC was developed by Waldo Semon, a chemist who worked for B.F. Goodrich. Semon also invented vinyl, which is one of the world's most widely used plastics. Semon held more than 100 patents and it is because of his work that PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used to make strong plastic pipes, door frames, insulation for electrical cables and much more.
Teflon, or polytetrafluoroethylene, a kind of plastic material, was also discovered accidentally. This plastic material was discovered accidentally, while the invention was for a new type of refrigerant, and this was done by a chemist by the name Roy Plunkett. A German chemist in 1898 also discovered by accident the plastic product polyethylene, a thermoplastic used to make varieties of thermoformed products and packages. Widespread use of this plastic material was not seen until 1935 though.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell likes blogging about how stuff is made. For further info regarding plastic thermoforming or to find out more about plastic food packaging solutions, please go to the Indepak.com site today.
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