In this blog post, we will look at the history and evolution of plastic, which has led human civilization, and consider whether it is possible to live without plastic.
Humans have been using tools for a long time. From the stone tools of the Paleolithic Age to the polished stone tools of the Neolithic Age, the bronze tools of the Bronze Age, and the iron tools of the Iron Age, tools have been an integral part of the development of human civilization. Now, we have entered a new era of tools. If there is one word that defines today, it is “the age of plastic.”
From the chairs we sit on, to our desks, means of transportation, smartphones in our hands, and air conditioners in classrooms, plastic can be easily found in almost all areas of our lives. In a reality where it is more difficult to find products or environments that do not use plastic, we are living in an era where it is difficult to even imagine a “plastic-free life.”
So where did this ubiquitous material begin? The first plastic was celluloid, developed in 1868 by John Wesley Hyatt in the United States. It was the result of an attempt to replace African elephant ivory, which was used to make billiard balls. Ivory was an expensive and difficult-to-obtain resource, so celluloid attracted attention as a substitute. Then, in 1909, Leo Hendrik Baekeland developed Bakelite, the first completely synthetic resin. This replaced celluloid and marked the beginning of the plastic age.
At the time, this new material was also called “synthetic resin” because it resembled resin in appearance. Subsequently, various artificial materials that could be distinguished from natural resins appeared, and the name “plastic,” derived from the Greek word “plastikos,” meaning “capable of being molded,” became widely used.
Plastic is a polymer compound made from crude oil that can be molded into various shapes by heat or pressure. Due to its ease of processing, low manufacturing cost, light weight compared to metal, and ability to be produced in a wide variety of colors and shapes, plastic quickly spread throughout industry.
Another reason for the widespread use of plastic is that, unlike metal, it does not corrode and does not conduct heat or electricity well, making it an excellent insulator. However, these advantages are also disadvantages. Crude oil, the main raw material for plastic, is a limited fossil fuel, and plastic is not biodegradable, meaning that it does not decompose in nature for tens to hundreds of years. As a result, plastic waste poses a serious threat to the marine ecosystem and is identified as a major cause of global environmental destruction. In addition, plastic has low heat resistance and melts at high temperatures, and its inability to conduct electricity limits its use in some electronic devices and machine parts. Despite these issues, the use of plastic is not decreasing but evolving into new forms. Scientists and industry are working hard to develop various “high-performance plastics” to overcome the shortcomings of plastic, and the results are gradually becoming apparent. The most notable area is “degradable plastics.” Developed to reduce environmental pollution, these plastics degrade under certain conditions, thereby solving some of the problems associated with plastic disposal.
For example, photodegradable plastics decompose when exposed to ultraviolet rays and can be recycled into other plastic materials. Biodegradable plastics are based on natural materials such as starch and cellulose, and are completely decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the soil or underwater environment. This eco-friendly approach is emerging as an alternative that can mitigate social criticism of plastics to some extent.
In addition, high-performance materials that overcome the limitations of existing plastics are also emerging. Electrically conductive plastics have departed from the conventional insulating properties and are being used as “flexible electronic devices” that enable electrical circuits. They are attracting attention as key materials for next-generation displays, OLEDs, solar cells, and other applications that can be folded or bent. In addition, heat-resistant plastics that can maintain their shape even at high temperatures ranging from 400 to over 1,000 degrees Celsius are used in automobile engine parts, jet adhesives, and even as interior materials for space probes, demonstrating stable performance even in high-temperature environments.
The future of plastics is not limited to being a material for lightweight and inexpensive disposable products. Smart materials such as “shape memory plastics,” which restore their shape in response to external stimuli, offer endless possibilities in the fields of medical devices and robotics, while biocompatible plastics are being researched for use in artificial organs and implant materials. Although they are not yet commercially available due to their low economic feasibility, these plastics will gradually become a natural part of our lives as technology advances.
In conclusion, plastic began as a substitute for ivory in the past, and now it has established itself as a key material that supports modern civilization. In the future, it will evolve into a more intelligent and environmentally friendly form. Humans are still making tools, and those tools are evolving. And in the midst of this evolution, plastic exists today and will continue to play an important role in the future.
