Where the Word Plastic Came From

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Where the Word “Plastic” Came From

The word plastic existed long before the first plastic, Parkesine. As early as the 1600’s, plastic was used as a term to relate to something that could be easily molded or shaped. Plastic is derived from the Latin word plasticus and the Greek word plastikos, both meaning ‘able to be molded, pertaining to molding’. Most likely, Greeks used plastikos to describe unhardened versions of clay.

Fun Facts:

The first plastic was developed in 1855 to replace ivory.  A man by the name of Alexander Parkes came up with the idea, presented it at the 1862 Great Exhibition in London, and came home with third prize.  This particular plastic was referred to as parkesine.  Later, manufactured parts of parkesine would suffer as Parkes tried to make the manufacturing process more cost effective.  Xylonite would later replace parkesine as a more stable material. Read more at www.todayifoundout.com

 

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