In 1909 Leo Baekeland produced the first completely synthetic plastic, Bakelite, from phenol and formaldehyde. The subsequent development of nylon, polyethylene and other plastics followed from advances in the basic understanding of molecular physics. All plastics are produced by some method of polymerization, the process of forming the long chains of molecules. There are two majors kinds of plastic, thermosetting resins and thermoplastic resins. The latter can be melted and solidified repeatedly, unlike the former.
Petroleum is the major source of plastics, but coal and cellulose are other raw materials.
Foamed plastics are produced by forming gas bubbles in the molten material. It is worth noting that without polymers there would be no human beings, and probably very little civilization. Diamond, quartz, feldspar, concrete, porcelain, glass, textiles, paper and rubber, as well as plastic, are mostly or entirely polymeric. An immense array of plastic industrial and consumer goods is available. All rights reserved.