The beginning of the modern plastics industry may be traced back to the latter half of the 19th century.
Between 1862 and 1900, new synthetics called 'plastic' emerge. The impetus to develop the first plastics
evolves from a need to find a substitute for scarce and expensive materials such as ivory and tortoiseshell.

The role of plastic evolves from a substitute material to that of an essential ingredient in
every aspect of modern life. Plastics literally mold the culture of the 20th century.