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Plastics: The Fourth Kingdom

 J.M. Syken

Course Outline

Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1940s/50s, we will examine the history of plastic and the development/innovations of the plastics industry starting with the first plastic product: Celluloid (1869), to the introduction of Mylar in the 1950s.

We will examine the impetus that led to the development of plastic – a replacement for Ivory (used to make billiard balls and/or piano keys) and the improvements in plastic products and their applications in industry, war materials/equipment and consumer goods through the late 19th century up to the middle of the 20th Century.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Intended Audience

This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.

Benefit to Attendees

The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the background, history, properties, development, manufacture etc. of plastics.

Course Introduction

The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;

Part 1 examines the history and development of the first plastic (1869), the development of Bakelite (1907) through to the many uses of plastic between the world wars. Part 2 examines the development, properties, applications, etc. of the improved plastic Bakelite. Part 3 examines the military and civilian applications of plastics during and after WWII. Part 4 examines the multi-functional plastic product Plexiglas. Part 5 examines the unique plastic product Mylar.

Course Content

Part 1 – Overview;
TITLE: Plastics (1944)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Plastics_2
DURATION: 14:44
Part 2 – King Bakelite;
TITLE: The Fourth Kingdom (1942)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/0765_Fourth_Kingdom_The_23_26_43_00
DURATION: 29:07
Part 3 – In War and Peace;
TITLE: The Kingdom of Plastics (1945)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Kingdomo1945
DURATION: 10:29
Part 4 – ‘P’ is for Plexiglas;
TITLE: Looking Ahead Through Plexiglas  (ca.1946)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/LookingAhead
DURATION: 19:30
Part 5 –The Miracle of Mylar;
TITLE: What’s it to You? – Part 1 (1955)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/WhatsItt1955
DURATION: 15:07
TITLE: What’s it to You? – Part 2 (1955)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/WhatsItt1955_2
DURATION: 08:50

Course Summary

Perhaps of all man-made materials, none have had a greater impact on our daily lives than plastic. Though plastic may seem like an inferior material on the surface, it can be made into a multitude of products including parts that can be machined, withstand extremes of wind, weather and temperature to transparent sheets only one four-thousandths of an inch thick. It is plastic’s diversity of use, light-weight, cost-effectiveness and durability that has made it indispensable to industry in the production of practically all man-made products.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Celluloid

http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Bakelite

http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Poly%28methyl_methacrylate%29

http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/BoPET

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.