Plastics encompass a wide range of synthetic and semi-synthetic materials created from large repeating molecules called polymers. The Institute’s collections include a wide variety of materials documenting the history of the study of polymers, the development of plastics, the plastic industry, synthetic fibers, microplastics, works depicting or created by early pioneers of the field, and other related topics. Browse the digitized materials in this digital collection to learn more about plastics and synthetic fibers from the lab to your living room.
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6 items
Chacott's Nude Perky Tights and All Through Stockings
- 2021
Three pairs of Nude Perky brand ballet dance tights in original packaging. The tights are in sizes Tall-Large, Medium, and Large and are in the colors Brown, Nut Brown, and Camel respectively.
Chacott is a Japanese…
- Creator Of Work Chacott Co., Ltd.
- Subject Commercial Products, Packaging, Nylon, Dyes and dyeing--Nylon, Hosiery, Hosiery industry, Chacott Co., Ltd., Clothing and dress, Ballet, Human skin color, Freed of London (Firm)
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52 items
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10 items
Half Chest Binders
- 2015
Five chest binding garments produced by the gc2b Company. This garment comes in five "nude" tones ranging from dark to light tan shades. A chest binder is anything used to bind and flatten the chest.
According to gc2b,…
- Creator Of Work gc2b
- Subject Gender expression, Sex (Psychology), Gender identity, Gender nonconformity, Commercial products, Nylon, Transgender people, Human skin color
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52 items
Distillations, Volume 1 Number 3
- 2015 (Fall)
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52 items
Chemical Heritage, Volume 29 Number 3
- 2011 – 2012 (Fall/Winter)
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Oral history interview with Emmett D. Crawford
- 2011-Oct-06 – 2011-Oct-07
Emmett D. Crawford was born in Meridian, Mississippi, but grew up in Laurinburg, North Carolina. His father, a minister and director of admissions at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, and his mother, a teacher, divorced…
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3 items
Vuvuzela from the 2010 FIFA World Cup
- 2010
White plastic horn-shaped noise maker used by cheering fans at the 2010 Fifa World Cup held in South Africa. The vuvuzela is handpainted in multiple colors with acrylic paint. The horn's bell is decorated with the South…
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Polypropylene Pellets
- Circa 2008
Small, round pellets of Polypropylene. Pellets are white and semi-translucent.
Polypropylene, also known as polypropene, is a nonpolar, thermoplastic polymer and polyolefin. Though its physical properties are similar…
- Creator Of Work Quantum Chemical Corporation
- Subject Polypropylene, Plastics, Thermoplastics, Polyolefins
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52 items
Chemical Heritage, Volume 26 Number 3
- 2008 (Fall)
- Publisher Chemical Heritage Foundation
- Subject Nylon, Chemical engineering, Chemical Heritage Foundation, Chemistry
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56 items
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Plastics Make It Possible advertisement, 2003
- Took two bullets to the chest. Ruined a good shirt.
- 2003
Advertisement by the American Plastics Council, featuring a police officer and highlighting how plastic enhances and protects lives. It explains how plastics are used in safety equipment like bullet-resistant vests,…
- Creator Of Work American Plastics Council
- Subject American Plastics Council, Plastics, Police, Body armor
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9 items
Oral history interview with Irvin I. Rubin
- 2002-Feb-26
Irvin I. Rubin begins the interview by describing his family history and how he came to work in the plastics industry. Throughout the interview Rubin describes the intricacies of working with plastic, starting with the…
- Interviewee Rubin, Irvin I., 1919-
- Interviewer Traynham, James G.
- Subject Rubin, Irvin I., 1919-, Chemists, Robinson Plastics Corporation, Injection molding of plastics, Chemists--Biography
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Plastics Make It Possible advertisement, 2001
- 2001
Advertisement by the American Plastics Council, featuring a person riding a mountain bike. The ad praises the use of plastic safety gear and how it can promote safety while still being fearless.
Beginning in 1993, the…
- Creator Of Work American Plastics Council
- Subject American Plastics Council, Plastics, Bicycle helmets, Personal protective equipment, Children in advertising
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Plastics Make It Possible advertisement, 2001
- I want to share in her happiness.
- 2001
Advertisement by the American Plastics Council, featuring a child playing with her grandfather. The ad highlights how plastics used in hip replacements or hearing aids can enhance your life.
Beginning in 1993, the…
- Creator Of Work American Plastics Council
- Subject American Plastics Council, Plastics, Plastics in medicine, Children in advertising
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52 items
Chemical Heritage, Volume 18 Number 4
- 2000 (Winter)
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Plastics Make It Possible advertisement, 1999
- Defense Dept.
- 1999
Advertisement by the American Plastics Council, featuring various food packaging. The ad explains how plastic food packaging can be your line of defense against food spoiling or tampering.
Beginning in 1993, the…
- Creator Of Work American Plastics Council
- Subject American Plastics Council, Plastics, Food--Safety measures, Food--Packaging, Plastics in packaging
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Plastics Make It Possible advertisement, 1999
- Crash Diet
- 1999
Advertisement by the American Plastics Council, featuring a plastic soft drink bottle hitting a surface. The ad boasts how plastic liter bottles are slimmer, lighter, and shatter-resistant, thus being a superior form of…
- Creator Of Work American Plastics Council
- Subject American Plastics Council, Plastics, Plastics in packaging, Soft drinks
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LEGO Seaweed
- 1990s
A small green plastic LEGO accessory shaped like a patch of seaweed. This piece was part of the Lego Lost at Sea Project, started by Tracey Williams.
On February 13, 1997, approximately five million LEGO pieces were…
- Creator Of Work LEGO koncernen (Denmark)
- Subject Plastics, LEGO toys, Water--Pollution, Pollution, Plastic marine debris, Plastic marine debris--Environmental aspects
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LEGO Scuba Tank
- 1990s
A small gray plastic LEGO accessory shaped like a scuba tank and breathing apparatus. This piece was part of the Lego Lost at Sea Project, started by Tracey Williams.
On February 13, 1997, approximately five million…
- Creator Of Work LEGO koncernen (Denmark)
- Subject LEGO toys, Plastic marine debris, Plastic marine debris, Plastics, Pollution, Water--Pollution
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2 items
LEGO Dragon
- 1990s
A small black plastic LEGO accessory shaped like a dragon. This piece was found by Lucy and Edward Thresher as part of the Lego Lost at Sea Project, started by Tracey Williams.
On February 13, 1997, approximately five…
- Creator Of Work LEGO koncernen (Denmark)
- Subject LEGO toys, Plastic marine debris, Plastic marine debris--Environmental aspects, Plastics, Water--Pollution, Pollution
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5 items
Kroger Disposable Plastic Shopping Bag
- 1990s
A gray plastic shopping bag with red print. This bag, manufactured for Kroger supermarkets, has a #2 HDPE recycling indication, meaning it is made from high-density polyethylene plastic and can be recycled. Information…
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2 items
Jar containing plastics from albatross stomachs
- 1990s
Clear plastic jar with ecru lid containing found plastic and rocks from albatross chick stomachs collected by Dr. Theodora Colborn on Midway Island in the mid 1990s.
- Creator Of Work Colborn, Theodora
- Subject Plastics, Albatrosses, Dioxins, DDT (Insecticide), Furans, Polychlorinated biphenyls, Organochlorine compounds
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3 items
Igloo Wrap cellophane
- 1900s
Blue and red cardboard box of "Igloo Wrap Brand" cellophane wrap, manufactured by Du Pont.
- Manufacturer E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
- Subject E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Food--Storage, Food--Preservation, Plastic films
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52 items
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58M 50S
Once Upon a Christmas Cheery in the Lab of Shakhashiri
- 1997
One of many in a series of annual Christmas lectures given by Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, a Lebanese chemistry educator who spent most of his career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The 1996 lecture includes the…
