A Polymer is a long-chain molecule made up of several distinct and repeating parts. DNA, Cellulose, Protein, Glass, PVC, vinyl and rubber are all polymers. Each constitutive repeating part of each of these polymers is called a monomer. The organic polymer structure is entirely different from the typical metallic or ceramic material in terms of its flexibility and interaction between monomers.
Some organic polymers can exhibit strong ceramic qualities, forming bonds in three dimensions.
Others can be linear in structure, having a long string of covalent carbon-carbon bonds, and as a result, are more elastic. It is for this reason that organic polymers have such wide applications. While polymers have been around in some form or another for millions of years, the first synthetic organic polymer, vinyl, was discovered in 1838. Following the synthesis and purification of styrene in 1839, polystyrene was made. Today, over 50 billion pounds of organic polymers are produced in the US each year.