This is the story of plastics-the result of human genius that has changed the face of our world for both good and bad. Plastics have replaced traditional materials and have made their way into homes all across this planet. This program will explore the development and use of plastics in our technological world. Learn about the history of plastics, the first polymers (wool, rubber, silk, and cellulose), Charles Goodyear and the vulcanizing of rubber, Alexander Parkes and parkesine, John Wesley Hyatt and synthesized celluloid, Leo Baekeland and synthetic plastic, thermoplastics, thermostable plastics, elastomers, and the uses, drawbacks, characteristics, and future of plastics.

Originally released by Cerebellum Corporation, 2013. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on July 10, 2018.

Plastics Overview (1:36); --Plastic History (2:53); -- What Are Plastics? (2:02); -- Thermoplastics (2:31); -- Thermostable Plastics (1:48); -- Elastomers (1:50); -- Drawbacks of Plastics (1:59); -- Plastics Summary (3:42); -- Credits: Plastics (2:29); .