POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Notes

It is often perceived that plastics are a material of the twentieth century; however, its beginnings go back to eighteenth century Europe and conditions created by rapid industrialisation, scientific curiosity and opportunities to create great wealth through innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. Many of the semi-synthetic plastics of the nineteenth century and the synthetic plastics of the twentieth century were influenced by earlier manufacturing methods of making products out of natural plastics such as horn and tortoiseshell. The development of synthetic plastics, however, allowed for a product that was not subject to availability and fluctuating costs. Cellulose nitrate, commonly known as Parkesine and Xylonite, developed in the 1850s and was the first semi-synthetic plastic. The product was used for objects such as knife handles, boxes, dental plates for false teeth, film, and billiard balls. Camphor was eventually added to the cellulose nitrate in order to reduce the volatile product's flammability, and was manufactured under the trademark name Celluloid. However issues of flammability persisted, preventing its use in mass production mouldings, and its use declined as new plastics materials were introduced. A major development in plastics was the introduction of phenolic plastics, also known by popular names such as 'Bakelite' and 'Nestorite', which are valued for their excellent heat resistance and low electrical conductivity. The scientific achievement underpinning the product is predominantly associated with the work of Leo Hendrik Baekeland (1863-1944), a Belgian-American industrial chemist. Baekeland patented the name 'Bakelite' to the product in 1907, and it went on to become a hugely successful commercial venture particularly from the mid twenties to around 1950 (Cook 1992). In the 1930s there was a surge of interest in plastics and plastic products, particularly coloured Urea-formaldehyde laminates. These products had excellent temperature resistance but, unlike early Bakelite, could be produced in different colours. The Australian plastics processing industry began around 1917 and grew significantly after World War Two, substituting raw materials such as metal that were in short supply. In 1939 production of plastics was around one thousand tonnes per year and fifty years later it had grown to around nine hundred thousand tonnes (Chemlink Consultants 2007). New innovations in plastics, a rising population and increasing home ownership and household consumption were major influences on this growth. Today the plastics industry is one of Australia's largest manufacturing sectors. The museum's plastics collection began in the 1930s with the acquisition of specimens of plastic raw materials and finished products. This collection was driven largely by Arthur de Ramon Penfold (1890-1980), a former industrial chemist, who worked as curator and later director of the museum from 1927 until 1955. A permanent display of plastics was established at the museum, and was described by the Sunday Telegraph as 'the best display of plastics and fibres in the world...show(ing) the complete history of plastics from first experiments to the latest developments' (Sunday Telegraph 1945). Throughout the early 1900s the Sydney Technical College and the museum promoted similar aims and objectives regarding their roles in areas such as the promotion use and development of local manufacture, materials, commerce and industry. Between 26 and 28 September 1934, the Technical College and the museum collaborated to develop what was advocated as the first Plastics Industry Exhibition in Australia. The museum contributed the majority of the exhibits, which included colourful moulded objects and synthetic resin powders. The highlight of the exhibition was a standard hydraulic press that produced synthetic resin objects while the audience watched. This was lent by John Heine and Son and run by staff from the College's Mechanical Engineering department. It utilised dies made by College students and synthetic moulding resin powders from local plastic companies. A Conversazione was held on the evening of 26th September, 1934 'to which prominent citizens, including representatives of the Plastics Industry were invited', and at which both Penfold and Dr N H Lang gave lectures on the plastics industry (Annual Report 1934). Describing the plastics industry as 'one of the greatest achievements of our time', the event aimed to explore and promote 'the wizardry of the Chemist's Art' (Sydney Technical College 1934). In December 1944 Penfold, along with Mr C H Hunt of Newcastle Technical College, was commissioned by the NSW Government to investigate overseas technological trends in the plastic industry, including the training of technical personnel, throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. On his return Penfold continued to promote the importance of Australia's development of a vigorous research and training program in developing local technical expertise (Penfold 29/11/1945), arguing that: 'The field is so vast and the potentialities of plastics...is so promising, that no effort should be spared to provide adequate training for all persons wishing to acquire a knowledge of these new materials' (Penfold 31/10/1945). The first plastic spectacles, made from cellulose acetate, were produced in France, 1922 (IPTF). This set of cellulose acetate spectacles was manufactured by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd and donated to the museum in 1945. Penfold acquired various specimens from Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd between 1941 and 1945, many relating to aircraft manufacture and the defence industry. REF: Cook, Patrick & Catherine Slessor, 'Bakelite: An Illustrated Guide to Collectable Bakelite Objects', The Apple Press, London, 1992, p12 Chemlink Consultants, Australia's Chemical Industry - History and development, available at http://www.chemlink.com.au/chemhist.htm, accessed 08/08/2007