A Belgian scientist, Dr. Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite. In 1907 he was working as an independent chemist when he discovered the compound of carbolic acid and formaldehyde. He found that it did not melt. He trademarked it “Bakelite” as well as two other variations, “catalin” and “marblette” – which today are also referred to as Bakelite.

Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic. It became very popular. Many objects from electrical plugs, radios, telephone, and jewelry were made from Bakelite. It was even used on the dashboard face of the Mercedes Benz car.

Pieces dating back to the 1920s-1940s have oxidized, developing a patina that makes the color appear different from the original color. For example, white often turns to butterscotch, blue changes to green, and pink turns to orange. The most common original colors were brown, black, red, green, and white.

When the Bakelite patent expired in 1927, it was acquired by the Catalin Corporation that same year. They began mass production under the name “Catalin”. The Catalin Corporation was responsible for nearly 70% of all phenolic resins that exist today. Bakelite jewelry became very popular during the Great Depression when people did not have much money. They could afford this colorful jewelry. By the end of World War II, new technologies for other plastics had developed. These new products were molded plastics such as Lucite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Acrylic.