Collection: Bakelite / Catalin / Lucite / Early Plastics

Bakelite and Catalin are both early forms of plastic.

Bakelite (polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) was developed by the Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907.

It is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin formed from a condensation reaction of phenol and formaldehyde.

Bakelite was used for its electrical non-conductivity and heat-resistant properties in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings, and such diverse products as kitchenware, jewellery, and toys.