Before plastic was invented, people used materials like clay, glass, and rubber to make things. Clay and glass were heavy and could break easily, while rubber would get sticky and lose its shape when heated. Scientists wanted to find something better, so they started experimenting with new materials.
In 1856, a scientist named Alexander Parkes created the first plastic, which he called parkesine. It was made from a natural substance called cellulose. A few years later, an American named John Hyatt improved on this idea and invented celluloid. Celluloid was a big deal for the movie industry because it was the first material that could hold images and was flexible enough to run through a movie projector. However, it was flammable, which sometimes caused fires in old cinemas. Besides movies, celluloid was used for making things like denture plates, shirt collars, cuffs, and even ping-pong balls (though they aren’t made from celluloid anymore).
In 1909, Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a scientist from Belgium, invented the first true plastic called Bakelite. It was so useful that Baekeland called it the “material of a thousand uses.” Bakelite was great for making things like hair dryers, radio cabinets, ashtrays, and cameras because it was a good insulator. It could also look like wood, which made it popular for car dashboards and doorknobs. People even used it to make jewelry, telephones, and clocks.
In the 1920s, a German chemist named Hermann Staudinger discovered something amazing about plastics. He found out that plastics are made from long chains of molecules called super polymers. This discovery led to the creation of many new types of plastics, like vinyl in 1926, polyester in 1932, polyurethane in 1937, polystyrene in 1938, and both nylon and neoprene in 1939.
Today, plastics are everywhere! We use them in computers, cell phones, furniture, clothing, toys, bottles, car interiors, containers, packaging, grocery bags, jewelry, shoes, cameras, and so much more. Plastics are strong, durable, lightweight, and cheap, which makes them very useful. However, there are some downsides. Plastics are made from oil and natural gas, which are resources that can’t be replaced. Making and recycling plastics can also create toxic waste. Plus, plastics that can’t be recycled can stick around in the environment for hundreds of years because they don’t break down easily.
So, what will happen with plastics in the future? Will scientists come up with a new material to replace them? Are you doing anything to use less plastic in your life? These are important questions to think about as we look for ways to protect our planet.
Research the key events in the history of plastic and create a timeline. Use drawings or digital tools to illustrate each event. Include the invention of parkesine, celluloid, Bakelite, and the discovery of super polymers. Share your timeline with the class and discuss how each invention impacted society.
Go on a scavenger hunt at home or in your classroom to find items made from different types of plastics. Identify the type of plastic each item is made from, if possible, and list its uses. Discuss with your classmates how these plastics improve or complicate our daily lives.
Divide into two groups and prepare for a debate. One group will argue the benefits of plastics, such as their versatility and cost-effectiveness. The other group will discuss the environmental impact and challenges of recycling plastics. Present your arguments and listen to the opposing side to understand different perspectives.
Think creatively and design a product that traditionally uses plastic but is made from alternative materials. Consider materials like bamboo, metal, or glass. Create a prototype or a detailed drawing of your product and explain how it could be a sustainable alternative.
Conduct an experiment to create biodegradable plastic using household items like cornstarch, vinegar, and glycerin. Compare your biodegradable plastic to traditional plastic in terms of strength and decomposition. Discuss the potential benefits of biodegradable plastics for the environment.
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Before plastic was invented, the only materials that could be molded into shapes were clay, glass, and rubber. Baked clay or pottery and glass were heavy and could break easily, while rubber became sticky and did not retain its shape when heated. Scientists began searching for alternative materials. The first plastic was created by Alexander Parkes in 1856 and was called parkesine, made from cellulose. A few years later, an American named John Hyatt further developed this and created a plastic called celluloid. Celluloid played a significant role in the movie industry as it was the first material that could be imprinted with an image and was flexible enough to feed through a movie projector. However, it was flammable, leading to fires in many old cinemas. Celluloid was also used to make denture plates and shirt collars and cuffs. Ping-pong balls were, but are no longer, made from celluloid.
In 1909, the first true plastic was invented by Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian-born scientist. It was called Bakelite and was so versatile that Baekeland referred to it as the material of a thousand uses. Its excellent insulating properties made it ideal for hair dryers, radio cabinets, ash trays, and cameras. Bakelite could resemble wood, making it a popular choice for car dashboards and doorknobs. It was also used to create jewelry, telephones, and clocks.
Then, in the 1920s, a German chemist named Hermann Staudinger made a discovery that transformed the plastics industry. He discovered that plastics were made from chains of thousands of molecules linked together, known as super polymers. This discovery led to the invention of many new plastics: vinyl in 1926, polyester in 1932, polyurethane in 1937, polystyrene in 1938, and nylon and neoprene in 1939.
Today, plastics are used in nearly every aspect of our lives, including computers, cell phones, furniture, clothing, textiles, toys, water and soda bottles, car interiors, containers, packaging, grocery bags, jewelry, shoes, cameras, and much more. Plastic has many advantages: it is strong, durable, lightweight, and inexpensive. However, it also has disadvantages. It is made from oil and natural gas, which are nonrenewable resources. The process of making and recycling plastic can produce toxic waste. Waste plastic that cannot be recycled poses a problem because it does not break down easily and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years.
So, what does the future hold for plastics? Will scientists invent a new type of material to replace it? Are you making changes in your lifestyle to limit its use? If you enjoyed this video, you can find it and many more at clickview.net. Sign up for free today!
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This version maintains the original content while removing any unnecessary or potentially sensitive information.
Plastic – A synthetic material made from various organic polymers that can be molded into shape while soft and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form. – Plastic is commonly used in packaging because it is lightweight and durable.
Scientist – A person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences. – The scientist conducted experiments to understand the chemical reactions better.
Molecules – Groups of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. – Water is made up of molecules consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Cellulose – A complex carbohydrate that forms the main constituent of the cell wall in most plants and is used in the production of paper and textiles. – Cellulose is an important material in the paper-making process.
Bakelite – An early plastic made from phenol and formaldehyde, used for electrical insulators and radio and telephone casings. – Bakelite was one of the first plastics used in the manufacturing of electrical components.
Polymers – Large molecules composed of many repeated subunits, known for their elasticity, plasticity, and strength. – Polymers are used in a wide range of products, from clothing to car parts.
Chemistry – The branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed and the investigation of their properties and reactions. – In chemistry class, we learned how different elements react with each other.
Materials – Substances or components with certain physical properties that are used as inputs to production or manufacturing. – Engineers choose materials based on their strength and durability for construction projects.
Environment – The natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, especially as affected by human activity. – Scientists study the environment to understand the impact of pollution on ecosystems.
Recycling – The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects, which helps reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials. – Recycling plastic bottles helps reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
