Plastic Was Invented To Replace Bugs | Planet Money | NPR

Before plastic (or plastic pollution), stuff was expensive. Back then, people relied on nature to make things: toothbrushes were made of silver, combs were made of tortoiseshell and clothes were made of cotton (well, they're still mostly cotton, but you get the point.)

Then, in 1907, a chemist named Leo Baekeland found a way to turn useless oil gunk into plastic. Things haven't been the same since. It opened up a whole world of affordable products. Suddenly everyone could get one of everything. This is the story of how plastic was first made, and how maybe we went too far with it.

This is the story of the moldable, affordable, miracle product of the modern age - Plastic.

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[kirbynat]

THE PILE OF TRASH. OH GOD MY SIDES HURT FROM LAUGHING

god help us xD

[kidatanakafan]

_And everyone live happily ever after-_

Mother Earth: Wait no, what is this garbage doing here???

[chinatyu]

As if the ending is not ironic enough... heaply ever after indeed...

[Tarik]

Could we like... take all that plastic and melt it and form it into a giant plastic cube? Like I got no further ideas other than a giant white plastic cube, maybe put it next to the arctic till we figure what to do with it...

[RedJax]

Bakelite sounds more like a weird diet dessert, but he did invent it.

[suziscool]

I've been wondering about the origin of plastic, I'm so glad I found this.

[thacrypt]

Damn the end was cold, I got shivers.

[seberianalozowski]

They should of kept the name Bakelite? The name plastic sounds so plastic! Get it! Ha Ha.

[ryanx]

"...everybody lived happily ever after."
Pah!

[duchi]

*Everything has become Plastic*
Plastic Trash
Plastic Friends
_Plastic Lover_ (Good Song)

[riccohall]

It's important to believe what is positive, based on facts, and correct. Specific natural life of the Earth has been seriously damaged and/or destroyed. Humans, laws, and societal structures have most often been and many are the cause of the destruction. Humans need to stop the immensely immoral things that effect naturally occurring life. Reducing negative with the goal of stopping negative by providing needed things and services for the Earth's natural life is very important. Also, it's very necessary and good. People, countries, and business with the resources to assist should assist in stopping the negative.

[rubikashree]

The earliest insulators was mica and not bugs

[Phlegethon]

What if you’re blind listening to this video

[MrJJK]

*Plastic is Great, Next we will repurpose plastic and recycle it and make it biodegradable. Problem with plastic is that it turns brittle and decays after 25 years*

[nightmarefredcat]

It's so cheap, yet it's made from oil. .-.

[ilovecops]

plasticks came fromt he store with waters BOTTLES MADE FROM or ov plasticks, No brain tease herars. thanks YOS!

[andrewfoster]

"Where does plastic come from?" The writers do not define "plastic" for us, but continue to conflate all polymers in a mishmash that doesn't do much to educate the public. Maybe it's so the story will qualify for a grant from a foundation seeking solutions to litter and solid waste. If so, I'd advise the donors to request a refund.  

The story begins and ends with litter and household waste mostly from food packaging (often it's HDPE, High density polyethylene and PETE, a kind of polyester) The Bakelite story is interesting and amusing, but to find the modern equivalent you'd have to research polycarbonate or polyurethane - two expensive resins used in skate wheels, auto parts and electronics.   Not as alarming - or negative - but much more accurate (and educational).

Why aren't popular stories more nuanced in exploring the history of important industries? Is it fear, ignorance, or corruption? I have to ask. Banish fear. Please banish fear.