In 1907, a chemist was chasing a shellac substitute when a hard resin changed the age of plastic

In an unassuming quest for new industrial materials, Leo Baekeland ignited a transformative shift. His pursuit of a shellac alternative led to the groundbreaking development of Bakelite, heralded as the first fully synthetic plastic. This remarkable resin, renowned for its durability and heat resistance, revolutionized manufacturing processes.