POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Collection of 'Marquis' mugs

Collection of 'Marquis' mugs

Object No. 87/645

Development of 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 the years 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). Penfold was greatly concerned with the technical and commercial development of local industries, particularly in the aftermath of two world wars, and believed that the museum was 'destined to play a conspicuous part in bringing Science to the aid of industry' (Penfold 1948) through both research and display. 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. These mugs were made by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd from moulded urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resin plastic. Phenol-formaldehyde plastics, commonly known by the tradename 'Bakelite', are characterised by their dark colour and are valued for their excellent heat resistance and low electrical conductivity. Penfold wrote that 'A drawback to the phenol-formaldehyde moulding powders was their dark colour, and efforts to produce lighter and brighter colours were successful in 1925 when urea-formaldehyde powders were introduced' (Penfold 1956). As is reflected in this torch urea-formaldehyde plastics were commonly used for brightly coloured cups and saucers, door handles, cigarette boxes and telephone handles. The variety of objects and colours that could be produced by phenol and in particular urea formaldehyde led to a surge of interest in plastics and plastics products. These particular mugs were purchased by the Museum in 1987 however the Museum holds various objects donated by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd between 1941 and 1945, many of which relate to the use of plastics within the defence industry. These objects are part of a large and significant collection of plastics and plastic moulding powders acquired by the museum throughout Arthur Penfold's career. The collection gives insight into a period of great social, material, technological and scientific development, and reflects some of the museum's collecting practices and research focuses at this time. Plastics continues to be an area that is explored and represented in the museum's collection, however today reflects some of the more ambivalent attitudes towards plastics and their use, particularly in regards to environmental and sustainability issues. REF: Penfold, A. R., personal correspondence, addressed to A. W. Baker, Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, Arncliffe, 17/2/1942, museum archives Penfold, A. R., paper, 'The Influence of Science Museums on Industry', read at the first Biannual Conference of International Council on Museums, 1948 Penfold, A. R., 'Plastics and Synthetic Fibres', A.H. Pettifer, Government Printer, Sydney, 1956, p9 Sunday Telegraph, 'For plastics he saw great things', 11 November 1945 Erika Dicker Assistant Curator, April 2008.

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Summary

Object Statement

Mugs (4), bakelite, 'Marquis' brand, made by Commonwealth Moulding Co Ltd, made in Australia, 1925 - 1935

Physical Description

A set of four Bakelite plastic drinking mugs. They are mottled blue and white with rectangular handles at the side. There is moulded lettering to the bases and emblems.

PRODUCTION

Notes

These 4 'Marquis' Bakelite plastic Mugs were made by Commonwealth Moulding Company Pty Ltd, in Australia from the period of 1925 to 1935. The 1943 Australasian Manufacturers Directory lists Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd as operating from 242 Princes Highway, Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia. The company is listed as producing such wares as aircraft parts, electrical appliances and parts, jewellery, furniture and interior decorations, household and kitchen appliances, industrial equipment, and optical equipment (Plastics Institute of Australia 1947). Phenolic plastics, also known by popular names such as 'Bakelite' and 'Nestorite', 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, who reacted (condensed) phenol and formaldehyde to form a resin that hardened upon cooling and which, when moulded, had excellent mechanical and electrical properties (Cook 1992). Phenol-formaldehydes were the principle plastics manufactured in Australia at this time, using locally manufactured raw materials (Penfold 1946). The development of urea-formaldehyde allowed for the production of brightly coloured plastics, also displaying excellent heat resistance. Phenol and urea-formaldehydes are known as 'thermosetting plastics', being distinct from 'thermoplastics' which soften on heating and harden on cooling, with this process able to be repeated as often as may be required. Penfold wrote that: 'Thermosetting plastics...can be prepared in a form in which they are initially thermoplastics, in which condition they can be moulded under appropriate conditions of temperature and pressure; further heating at quite moderate temperatures (260-350F.) causes them to set permanently. They cannot again be softened by heating, but, being organic materials, they char at a temperature of about 650?F. (Penfold 1956)' References: Penfold, A. R., 'The Story of Plastics', in Sydney Technological Museum News Bulletin, Sydney, No 8, 1943, p11 Penfold, A. R., 'Reports on Plastics Investigation, 1945 in the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom', Thomas Henry Tennant, Government Printer, Sydney, 1946, p3 Penfold, A. R., 'Plastics and Synthetic Fibres', A.H. Pettifer, Government Printer, Sydney, 1956, p9 Plastics Institute of Australia, 'Australian Plastics Trade Directory', Sydney, 1947

HISTORY

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. The Australian plastics processing industry began around 1917, growing significantly after World War Two. 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 . 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. Reference:: Chemlink Consultants, Australia's Chemical Industry - History and development, available at http://www.chemlink.com.au/chemhist.htm, accessed 08/08/2007. Penfold, A. R., 'Reports on Plastics Investigation, 1945, in the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom', 31/10/1945 Penfold, A. R., paper, 'Recent Developments of Plastics Overseas', delivered before the Plastics Institute of Australia, NSW Section, 29/11/1945 Penfold, A. R., 'The Influence of Science Museums on Industry', read at the first Biannual Conference of International Council on Museums, 1948 Sunday Telegraph, 'For plastics he saw great things', 11/11/1945 Sydney Technological Museum, Annual Report, 1934

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 1987

Acquisition Date

1 June 1987

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