Blog A: Plastic Facts

Plastic has evolved drastically since its initial introduction into today’s global environment. Originally derived from natural polymers, it was experimented and mixed with synthetic polymers and eventually assimilated into the synthetic formulations that people interact with today. Gradual advancements and significant events has allowed the relationship between material and consumer to grow quickly; from the revolutionary discovery of Bakelite in 1907; the emergence of new plastics developed for World War II; to its malleable design with the Panton chair in 1960. “The amount of plastic the world consumes annually has steadily risen over the past seventy years...We became plastic people really just in the space of a single generation.” (Freinkel 2011). Our reliance and involvement in Australia is also iterated by Freinkel, “The average Australian consumes half as much as plastic as Americans - about 150 pounds a year” (Freinkel 2011)

The Panton Chair by Verner Panton (Panton 1960)

Plastic has managed to assimilate itself into everyday interactions in various forms: from the humble plastic bag at the supermarket, the fibres which comprise of one’s clothing, to the mode of transportation we take from day to day. It’s malleability and versatility is derived from the construction of its atom chain structure and by varying this it dictates the flexibility and durability of the plastic. Since introduced, it has been an integral material that has led society to where it is today, with influence encompassing transportation, entertainment, communication, shelter, packaging purposes, etc. On the other hand, the saturation of plastic has left a detrimental mark on the environment where growing concerns of degradability and sustainable initiatives are prominent in society today aimed at reversing the effects of synthetic polymers.

Plastic raincoats on the runway for Valentino Spring/Summer 2013 (Valentino 2013)

Before plastic involvement, people utilised natural materials for everyday tasks. Items such as wood, clay and bone were utilised prior to plastic but were susceptible to deterioration and fragility. However, as society grew and demand for product increased exponentially, it became more difficult for manufacturers to maintain as natural resources couldn’t keep up with the production pace. The discovery of white celluloid, the first synthetic polymer, in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt solved his problem of acquiring an appropriate substitute for ivory in order to fulfill the growing popularity of billiards. As a result, he was able to replicate the billiards for a fraction of the cost, and meet the demands of his customers. This move also aided in the process of the economy progressing into the industrial revolution. “Plastics heralded a new era of material freedom, liberation from nature’s stinginess” (Freinkel 2011). Today, plastic is heavily inserted into our day to day lives. However our opinion on the material has changed from desire to disdain, and focuses on reversing the environmental effects and discovering sustainable materials to hopefully replace the impermeability of Plastic.

Hyatt celluloid billiard balls (Albany Institute, n.d.)

References:

Albany Institute, n.d., Hyatt Billiard Balls, viewed 16 May 2016, <http://www.albanyinstitute.org/details/items/hyatt-billiard-balls.1673.html>

Frienkel, S. 2011, Plastic: A Toxic Love Story, electronic book, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston.

Panton, V. 1960, Panton Chair by Vitra, Danish Design Store, viewed 16 May 2016, <http://www.danishdesignstore.com/products/verner-panton-chair-vitra>

Valentino 2013, Spring/Summer Collection, viewed 16 May 2016, <http://www.reginele.ro/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/valentinto-clear-plastic-raincoat.jpg>