Bakelite

The first plastic made from synthetic components, developed by Leo Baekeland in Yonkers, New York, in 1907, and patented on December 7, 1909.

Bakelite was one of the first plastic-like materials to be introduced into the modern world and was popular because it could be molded and then hardened into any shape. It became very popular in making colorful jewelry beginning in the 1920’s, and especially in the 1940’s to 1970’s. The jewelry and items are highly collectible and ought after.