00:00:00 We all know the problem.

00:00:11 Plastics? Eh, to me, it's cheap.

00:00:14 A public that holds some very negative opinions about our industry.

00:00:18 Plastics? Plastics are imitation products. Yeah, you know, cheap.

00:00:24 And despite all the benefits that plastics bring to everyday life.

00:00:28 Plastics? Shoddy material.

00:00:31 People continue to focus on old, incorrect ideas about plastics.

00:00:36 Plastics? Well, to me, plastics means toxic waste. Pollution.

00:00:42 It's a fact that frustrates plastics industry executives.

00:00:46 But the problem is more serious than that.

00:00:49 Because as long as these misconceptions persist among the public, government, and media,

00:00:54 they hinder our ability to pursue the development of new and better plastics products.

00:01:00 Now, there's an opportunity to change these perceptions for the benefit of our entire industry.

00:01:06 It's the new National Plastics Center and Museum.

00:01:10 This unique center will show thousands of people each year how plastics make modern life better in so many ways.

00:01:18 The center's mission statement reads,

00:01:21 The National Plastics Center and Museum preserves the past, addresses the present,

00:01:27 and promotes the future of the plastics industry through consumer awareness and education.

00:01:37 The National Plastics Center and Museum will be located in this building in Limberston, Massachusetts,

00:01:43 where renovation is underway.

00:01:46 The building was made available by the city of Lemonster.

00:01:50 Lemonster is a pioneer plastic city that is still a major manufacturing center.

00:01:59 The building will be a showcase of plastics in construction,

00:02:02 and its exhibit areas will be expertly designed by Thomas Wong of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.

00:02:09 Inside the center and museum, visitors will be treated to a unique combination of the fun and the fascinating.

00:02:18 They'll step back in time to see the history of the industry.

00:02:22 They'll learn about the 1868 invention of cellulose nitrate, the first plastic,

00:02:28 which was used as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls.

00:02:32 They'll see the first commercial injection molding machine,

00:02:36 created in Lemonster by Foster Grant in 1934,

00:02:41 generally agreed to be the single most important milestone in the growth of the plastics industry.

00:02:47 And they'll proceed into the dizzying pace of innovation over the past three decades.

00:02:53 Here, these conceptions that plastic means cheap

00:02:57 will be changed by seeing the new polymers that are stronger than steam.

00:03:02 Their notions that plastics are unimportant to people's lives

00:03:06 will be changed by a close-up view of the Jarvik 7 artificial heart,

00:03:10 and their feelings that plastics companies are wanton polluters will be changed

00:03:15 by the facts about the industry's outstanding record of environmental responsibility.

00:03:21 What's more, people will be invited to share our visions of the future.

00:03:26 The center will also house the Plastics Hall of Fame,

00:03:30 as well as a comprehensive research library.

00:03:34 Traveling exhibits are also planned to extend our message throughout the United States.

00:03:42 Today, children, we're going to learn all about plastics.

00:03:46 In addition, the center will sponsor the creation of a wide range of educational video programs,

00:03:53 which will be distributed through school systems nationwide.

00:03:57 And it will sponsor conferences for corporate executives, educators, legislators, and the media.

00:04:05 Far from being a dusty, static museum, the center will be a living exhibition,

00:04:11 with 80% of the galleries remaining open to new displays, new technologies, and new ideas.

00:04:21 As a result, this exciting museum is sure to be popular with people of all ages,

00:04:26 and it will be especially popular with families and school groups,

00:04:30 providing an early education to young people who are the consumers and voters of tomorrow.

00:04:38 The Society of the Plastics Industry wholeheartedly supports and endorses the National Plastics Center and Museum.

00:04:47 Not only is it important that the history and artifacts of our great industry be preserved,

00:04:53 we also believe the center represents an excellent vehicle

00:04:58 for the industry to communicate to the public the benefits of plastics.

00:05:03 The objectives and purposes of the National Plastics Center and Museum

00:05:08 complement those of the SPI in the critical area of acceptance of plastics

00:05:14 through education and information for students, media, and the general public.

00:05:21 The creation of this center and museum will cost three million dollars

00:05:26 and will be funded through private gifts.

00:05:29 The museum's founding contributors, who really comprise a who's who of the plastics industry,

00:05:35 are calling on individuals, companies, and institutions

00:05:40 who are involved in the design and manufacture of plastic products

00:05:44 to become active participants in this landmark museum.

00:05:49 All gifts or pledges are tax deductible and will be acknowledged.

00:05:54 Special contributions will bring special attention.

00:05:58 I hope we can count on your support for this very worthwhile project.

00:06:03 We think you will agree that this is money well invested by and for your company.

00:06:10 After all, think of the value of a public that understands the human importance of plastics.

00:06:18 An artificial heart? That's a great invention. A lifesaver.

00:06:22 A public that sees the technological advantages of plastics.

00:06:26 Voyager. Isn't that the plane that flew around the world?

00:06:29 A public that sees the everyday benefits of plastics.

00:06:32 A product made out of plastic will increase my gas mileage? Sure I'd like that.

00:06:36 A public that knows the real story about our environmental record.

00:06:41 A plastics plant? It looks more like an office building to me.

00:06:46 Tupperware and the Tupper Foundation were early and enthusiastic supporters

00:06:51 of the National Plastics Center and Museum.

00:06:54 We know that an organized and effective program of consumer information and education

00:07:00 can have very real and tangible benefits for our industry.

00:07:04 Not only in today's marketplace, but in helping to address the significant challenges that lie ahead.

00:07:11 I hope that all companies, large and small, in our industry

00:07:16 will give serious thought to supporting this important project.

00:07:21 Together, we can change the way people think about plastics.

00:07:26 And it's real plastics.

00:07:28 It's happening now through your National Plastics Center and Museum.

00:07:34 I guess plastics is a pretty valuable thing after all.

00:07:38 Where the plastics industry's past is helping to build a better future.

00:07:44 That's terrific.

00:08:07 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

00:08:10 California Institute of Technology