Friday, February 18, 2022

Friday Fun Fact: Bakelite

What is Bakelite and why is it special?

Let's talk about the early plastics that you'll often see in our vintage buttons.


Many types of plastic based on naturally-sourced proteins and cellulose were developed in the late 1880s and early 1900s.

Celluloid was often referred to as "faux ivory" and was used for jewelry, dolls, pens, buttons, and other decorative objects, but had the drawback of being flammable.

Casein is a plastic material made from milk proteins (yes, milk! Like you drink!). It was popular for buttons and other small decorative objects as it was easy to mold and took dyes well.

Bakelite was the first fully synthetic plastic, revolutionizing the plastics industry. It's hard, smooth, and more heat-resistant than older plastics, making it an ideal choice for button manufacture. 

Its quick molding time made it possible to experiment with loads of fun and wacky designs. Vintage Bakelite is still something truly special.

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