Plastics do not occur naturally but are manufactured. The word ‘plastic’ has originated from the Greek word ‘Plastikos’ which means ‘to mould’. It is made from simple organic chemicals. It has many varieties and colours.
Plastic was invented by Alexander Parkes of England in 1862. In those days it was called ‘Parkesine’ after him. Parkesine was the first plastic ever produced.
Many plastics have ‘poly’ in their names for example, polythene. Poly comes from a Greek word meaning ‘many’. Polythene means ‘many molecules of ethene joined together’.
The manufacturing of plastic on a commercial scale was started for the first time by Leo Hendirk Backeland. He made it from phenol and formaldehyde. Subsequently, new techniques were developed for the production of plastics. Today, scientists have discovered many raw materials which are used in the making of various kinds of plastic products. Most plastics are made from chemicals found in oil, although a few come from wood, coal and natural gas. Common types include polythene, polystyrene, PVC and nylon.
Today, plastic has become an integral part of our life. Its uses are endless. Transparent plastics are used for making lenses and windows of aeroplanes. Polythene bags, a plastic product, are used in almost all walks of life. Articles of domestic use like buckets, cups, brushes, combs, baskets, cabinets for radios, transistors etc. are also made of plastics. Toys and sports goods made from plastic have flooded the markets everywhere. The yarn for making Terylene cloth is, in fact, made from plastic. Today scientists have even succeeded in developing heat insulating plastics. Foam cushions, seats in trains, cars and aeroplanes – all are made from plastics. Now, plastics are used as surgical aids also. There is hardly any field of life in which plastics are not used.