DESCRIPTION

This is the steam pressure vessel used by Leo H. Baekeland, the chemist and inventor, to produce commercial quantities of the first totally synthetic plastic, Bakelite. It was produced by reacting phenol and formaldehyde under pressure at high temperatures. The product was a thermosetting resin which proved to be an extremely versatile substance, readily moldable and quite strong when combined with fillers such as cellulose.The Bakelizer was used by Dr. Baekeland around 1909. It was dubbed "Old Faithful" by its early operators. Made of iron alloys and still in usable condition, it's about 35 inches wide, 40 inches deep, and nearly 72 inches tall.

USER

Baekeland, L. H.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

iron (overall material)

cast (overall production method/technique)

DATA SOURCE

National Museum of American History