https://worldhistory.substack.com/p/plastic-before-plastic


Apparently, gutta-percha is still being used in dentistry.  The above article caught my eye this morning because just yesterday there was a blog post about using g-p as a 3d filament. (cannot find) 

Before more modern plastics, bakelite was about it.  I saw it a lot in the 50s-60s due to its use in the electrical industry and the family's wholesale supply house.

AI says: Bakelite was the world's first fully synthetic plastic

I'll add that is was extremely brittle and easily cracked or broken.

My grandparents had a lot of small things: ashtrays, pen holders, etc made from bakelite.  Looked like they were from the 1940's or so.

>> gutta-percha

Never heard of it. Interesting

>> Caning
Coming soon to a legislature near you

>> bakelite

I still have a Revere Ware pot with Bakelite handles that my parents got for their wedding in 1954. Going strong.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revere_Ware