Early plastics: Identify the inventor of Bakelite, the first fully synthetic thermosetting plastic. Full question: Who invented Bakelite, widely used for electrical insulators and consumer goods in the early 20th century? Choose the correct option.

Background

• Bakelite is a phenol–formaldehyde resin, a 1907–1909 breakthrough.

Concept
Leo Baekeland synthesized Bakelite, the first fully synthetic thermoset, enabling heat-resistant, non-conductive components (e.g., radio/telephone housings, sockets).

Distractors
Parkes: Parkesine (cellulose-based). Staudinger: macromolecule theory. Hyatt: celluloid improvements—not Bakelite.

Final Answer
Leo Baekeland.