Baekeland Invents Bakelite
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series
- Categories: Science, Technology, Inventions
- Subcategories: Scientists, Inventors, Chemistry, Chemists
- Curriculum: American History 1901-1950, 20th & 21st Century European History, German History
- Geographical Location: New York
- Date: 1905-1907
Article abstract: Baekeland developed the first totally synthetic thermosetting plastic, which paved the way for modern material science.
Summary of Event
In the 1860’s, the firm of Phelan and Collender offered a prize of ten thousand dollars to anyone producing a substance that could serve as an inexpensive substitute for ivory, which was somewhat difficult to obtain in large quantities at reasonable prices. At the time, this represented a sizable sum of money and many tinkerers and inventors sought to win the prize. Christian Friedrich Schönbein...
[The entire page is 1953 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
