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 developed by Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland in New York in 1907.
He produced a hard moldable material and patented in 1907 known as Bakelite. It was the first synthetic thermosetting plastic ever made. It was often referred to as "the material of 1000 uses," a phrase originated by Baekeland himself.
In the early 20th century, it was found in myriad applications including saxophone mouthpieces, whistles, cameras, solid-body electric guitars, telephone housings and handsets, early machine guns, pistol grips, and appliance casings. In the pure form it was made into such articles as pipe stems, buttons, etc.
Leo Baekeland announced the invention of Bakelite at a meeting of the American Chemical Society on February 5, 1909.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakelite
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