Plastics originated as eco-friendly alternatives before leading to environmental crises.
The evolution of plastics from scarce natural substitutes to disposable culture reflects societal changes.
Deep dives
The Invention of Plastic: Origins and Evolution
Plastic was envisioned in 1941 as a world of color and surfaces, surrounded by a durable and clean material. Fast forward to life in 1,041, where oceans are covered in plastic, affecting the evolution of creatures. The podcast delves into the emergence of plastics, the culture of disposability, and the potential new life forms due to plastic's influence.
The Birth of Plastic and Its Significance
The podcast discusses the history of plastics' invention, tackling its defining characteristics and the diverse materials under the plastic umbrella. It explores the term 'plastic' and its roots, stemming back to Greek origins and evolving into the synthetic molecular structures we know. Significant inventors like William Henry Perkins and Leo Bakeland are highlighted for their contributions.
Plastics in Consumer Culture and Post-War Era
The conversation shifts to the widespread use of early plastics in products like radios, telephones, and more. Bakelite emerges as a versatile material shaping various consumer goods. The podcast reveals how the concept of disposable plastics gained momentum, especially post-World War II, leading to a shift in public perception towards disposability.
Plastics and the Impact of World Wars
The podcast explores the role of global conflicts in driving innovation, particularly in the plastic industry. Plastics like nylon and Teflon were initially developed for war-related purposes, highlighting the link between war efforts and plastic advancements. The proliferation of plastics post-World War II reflects a significant shift towards consumerism and abundance stemming from wartime investments.
You can argue that plastics were invented to save nature from human depredation…that plan backfired a bit!
Early plastics were designed as substitutes for scarce natural products like ivory and shellac or the shells of endangered snails. But it didn’t take long for things to get out of hand.
In this episode we trace the story of plastic past, present and future by way of three inventions.
The invention of plastics
The dawn of disposable plastic culture
The possibly new creatures that will emerge in response to the vast amounts of plastic littering the earth
Our guest today is Heather Davis, professor of media and culture and the New School in New York. She’s pondered these questions for a long time and her book, Plastic Matter, looks at how plastics change our way of life.
Produced by Freddy Chick, edited by Thomas Ntinas, Senior Producer is Charlotte Long
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