Bakelite
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.
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| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
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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