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Meet Leo Baekeland: The King of Plastics and His Invention That Changed the World
Learn how Leo Baekeland’s innovative spirit and passion for entrepreneurship made him a symbol of the American Industrial Age.
Baekeland is also known as the “King of Plastics” and “The Father of the Plastics Industry” for his invention of Bakelite.
Bakelite is an inexpensive, non-flammable, and versatile plastic that marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry.
In this post, we will revisit the life and career of this extraordinary man and his remarkable journey as an innovator.
Early Life
Leo Hendrik Baekeland was born in the Belgian city of Ghent in 1863. His mother worked as a maid, and his father was a shoemaker.
He was born and raised in the Belgian city of Ghent. He proudly graduated with honors from the Ghent Municipal Technical School and was given the scholarship to study chemistry at Ghent University by the City of Ghent.
At the age of 21, he earned a Ph.D. summa cum laude.
Baekeland’s Early Career
He was named associate professor of chemistry at Ghent University in 1889 after a brief position as Professor of Physics and Chemistry in Bruges (1887–1889).
Later, Baekeland and his wife Céline used a travel scholarship in 1889 to tour institutions in England and the United States.
They went to New York City, where he met Columbia University Professor Charles F. Chandler and Richard Anthony of the E. and H.T. Anthony photographic enterprise.
He worked in the field of photographic chemistry while he was there.
He created Velox, a photographic printing material that could be developed without using natural light.
When George Eastman paid $750,000 (about $15.5 million in 2002 dollars) for Baekeland’s invention in 1899, he gained a fortune.
Next, He Invented a Substitute for Shellac: Bakelite
Baekeland created the first thermoset plastic, a synthetic compound he termed Bakelite, in 1907 while experimenting to find an alternative for shellac.
The unusual resin was so soft that it could be shaped into any shape before being permanently solidified under high pressure.
It was a manufacturer’s dream to work with because it was easy to deal with, didn’t catch fire or break, and didn’t conduct electricity.
Bakelite’s versatility allowed it to be used for purposes other than varnish, abrasive binder, and electrical oil coating.
It would quickly become the preferred material for a wide range of manufactured goods.
Plastic’s Golden Age
Baekeland received a patent in 1909 and immediately began a full-fledged marketing push.
Bakelite radios, autos, appliances, fake jewelry, and smoker’s accessories appeared soon after.
Baekeland’s patents began to expire in 1926, and a flood of identical compounds hit the market.
It was only the beginning of the plastics era.
Baekeland sold his company to Union Carbide for $16.5 million ($202.8 million in 2002 currency) when his son, George Washington Baekeland, decided not to engage in the business.
At the age of eighty, he died in Beacon, New York, in 1944.
Baekeland’s Honors and Legacy
Leo Baekeland was named the “Father of Plastic” by Time Magazine in 1940.
During his lifetime, he got several honors. Among the most notable are:
- The Willard Gibbs Medal (1913) — An honor for publicly recognizing outstanding chemists.
- The Messel Medal (1938) -This medal is awarded to those who have attained eminence in applied chemistry.
- The Franklin Medal (1940) — It’s a science award presented from 1915 until 1997 by the Franklin Institute.
Also, in 1978, in Akron, Ohio, Leo Baekeland was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
READ MORE HERE — What are the contributions of Leo Baekeland?
The Takeaway
Baekeland excelled in creativity because he had a clear focus and goals from a young age.
Young researchers are inspired by his passion for ongoing improvement, refinement, and advancement in fundamental and applied research.
Baekeland was unique because he was not just a brilliant innovator but also an intelligent and astute businessman.
Baekeland has nailed the art of timing to perfection.
He invented stuff because he understands what the market requires and desires.
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