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The Story of Bakelite, the First Synthetic Plastic
He then started his own laboratory in Yonkers, New York, where he invented Bakelite in 1907. Made by combining phenol, a common disinfectant, with formaldehyde, Bakelite was original conceived of as a synthetic substitute for the shellac used in electronic insulation. -
Tape Dispenser
Tape Dispenser
John A Borden, another 3M engineer invented the first tape dispenser with a built-in cutter blade in 1932. -
The History of Adhesives and Glue
Hot glue or hot melt adhesives are thermoplastics that are applied hot (often using glue guns) and then harden as they cool.
Hot glue and glue guns are commonly used for arts and crafts because of the wide range of materials that hot glue can stick together. -
The History of Adhesives and Glue
Superglue or Krazy Glue is a substance called cyanoacrylate that was discovered by Dr. Harry Coover while working for Kodak Research Laboratories to develop an optically clear plastic for gunsights in 1942. -
Who Invented Ear Plugs?
Moldable Pure Silicone Ear Plugs
Ray and Cecilia Benner invented the first moldable pure silicone ear plugs in 1962. The ear plugs were valued by swimmers, as well as those avoiding noise, for their waterproof qualities. -
Foam Ear Plugs
Ross Gardner invented foam ear plugs in 1972. They were first marketed by the Cabot Safety Company as the E-A-R Classic. Gardner got his idea from the soft padding used in headphones.
