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Celluloid


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Celluloid

Celluloid is a thermoplastic material that was widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for various applications in the design and manufacturing industries. Developed in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, celluloid is created by plasticizing nitrocellulose with camphor and casting it into sheets or other shapes. Its invention marked a significant milestone in the history of plastics, as it was the first commercially successful synthetic plastic material. Celluloid's unique properties, including its ability to be molded, embossed, and colored, made it a versatile material for creating a wide range of products. In the realm of design, celluloid found extensive use in the production of decorative items, jewelry, toys, and novelty goods. Its capacity to imitate natural materials like ivory, tortoiseshell, and horn allowed designers to create affordable and attractive alternatives to these scarce and expensive resources. Additionally, celluloid played a crucial role in the early film industry, serving as the primary material for motion picture film until the introduction of safer acetate-based films in the 1930s. Despite its eventual replacement by newer plastics with improved properties, celluloid's impact on the design world and its role in the development of modern plastics cannot be overstated.

thermoplastic, nitrocellulose, camphor, molding, film, plastic

John Armstrong

CITATION : "John Armstrong. 'Celluloid.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=433779 (Accessed on October 08, 2024)"


Celluloid Definition
Celluloid on Design+Encyclopedia

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