Leo Baekeland

Profession: Chemist

Biography: Leo Baekeland was a Belgian-American chemist known for his significant contributions to the development of plastics. His most notable achievement was the invention of Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in the early 20th century. This discovery marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry, earning Baekeland a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Baekeland's scientific career began in his native Belgium, where he conducted research on photographic plates. After immigrating to the United States, he sold his successful photographic paper business to Eastman Kodak and focused on research into synthetic materials.

In 1907, Baekeland made a groundbreaking discovery when he created a hard, heat-resistant, and non-conductive material by controlling the reaction between phenol and formaldehyde. He named this new material Bakelite, and it quickly found a wide range of uses, from electrical insulators to radio and telephone casings, to various household goods.

Baekeland's invention of Bakelite marked a significant milestone in material science. It was the first plastic made from synthetic components, providing an alternative to natural materials like wood, metal, and ivory. The development of Bakelite not only launched the modern plastics industry, but it also ushered in a new era of mass production and consumption, shaping the 20th century and beyond.

Born: November 14, 1863
Birthplace: Ghent, Belgium
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: February 23, 1944 (aged 80)
Cause of Death: Cerebral hemorrhage