John Wesley Hyatt was an American inventor and industrial chemist born on November 28, 1837, in Starkey, New York. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in the development of celluloid, the first commercially successful synthetic plastic. Hyatt's early life was marked by a keen interest in mechanics and invention, which led him to pursue a career in industrial chemistry. In 1863, he began experimenting with cellulose nitrate, a material derived from plant cellulose that had previously been used in the production of explosives. Through a process of trial and error, Hyatt discovered that by mixing cellulose nitrate with camphor and subjecting the mixture to heat and pressure, he could create a moldable, durable material that could be used in the manufacture of a wide range of products. This material, which he named celluloid, quickly found applications in the production of billiard balls, dental plates, and photographic film, among other items. Hyatt's invention revolutionized the plastics industry and laid the foundation for the development of many other synthetic materials in the years to come. Despite the success of celluloid, Hyatt continued to innovate throughout his career, patenting numerous other inventions, including a machine for producing wooden veneers and a method for producing roller bearings. He died on May 10, 1920, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential inventors of his time.
Celluloid, synthetic plastic, cellulose nitrate, camphor, billiard balls, photographic film
CITATION : "Helen James. 'John Wesley Hyatt.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=435449 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
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