Bakelite
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Bakelite, or polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, is an early plastic. It is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from an elimination reaction of phenol with formaldehyde. It was made in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland.
Bakelite was used for its electrically nonconductivity and heat-resistant properties in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings. It was also in products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, and children's toys.
Bakelite Media
The first semi-commercial Bakelizer, from Baekeland's laboratory, 1935
Color chart for Bakelite "jewel" quality colors (cast resin or "Clear Material"), 1924
A combustion engine's spark distributor rotor made of Bakelite
Bakelite cover of a German telegraph key
Bracelets made of Bakelite
- Photograph of Bakelite cooling room. Image from Bakelite review : silver anniversary number, 1910-1935 published by Bakelite Corporation. New York, NY: Bakelite Corporation, 1935, p. 13. Copyright not renewed. The caption reads: "Cooling room. The resinoid solidifies upon cooling. Then it is broken into chunks and subsequently ground for use in molding material."
Resin and varnish inspection laboratory
- Photograph of Bakelite resin testing laboratory. Image from Bakelite review : silver anniversary number, 1910-1935 published by Bakelite Corporation. New York, NY: Bakelite Corporation, 1935, p. 17. Copyright not renewed. The caption reads: "Double check. Laboratory stills test samples of the mixed ingredients of each charge to guide the still room in resin production."
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