Plastics have been described as "materials that can be moulded or shaped into different forms under pressure or heat." They were a cultural phenomenon in the twentieth century when they changed the way objects were produced, designed and used. It was also in the twentieth century that most plastic products moved away from natural raw materials to synthetically produced ones.

The museum's plastics collection began in the 1930s with the acquisition of specimens of plastic raw materials and finished products. The collection was driven largely by Arthur de Ramon Penfold (1890-1980), a former industrial chemist, who worked as curator and later director of the museum from 1927 until 1955.

Between 26 and 28 of September 1934, the Technical College and the museum collaborated to develop what was advocated as the first Plastics Industry Exhibition in Australia. A permanent display of plastics was established at the museum, and was described by the Sunday Telegraph as 'the best display of plastics and fibres in the world show(ing) the complete history of plastics from first experiments to the latest developments'.

This plastic box, and metallised lid, were displayed as an example of new technology available in the 1940s that allowed metal to be adhered to synthetic resins. This technology was being undertaken in Australia by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, who also manufactured numerous plastic parts for use in military aircraft. Penfold acquired various specimens from Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd between 1941 and 1945, many of which relate to the use of plastics in the defence industry.

This object is a part of a large collection of plastics and plastic moulding powders acquired by the museum during Arthur Penfold's career. This collection gives an insight into a period of great social, material, technological and scientific development as well as the collecting practices of the museum at the time. Plastics continues to be an area that is explored and represented in the museum's collection, however today it reflects some of the more ambivalent attitudes towards plastics and their use, particularly in regards to the environment and sustainability.

Reference:

Sunday Telegraph, 'For plastics he saw great things', 11 November 1945.
M. Kaufman, the First Century of Plastics, The Plastics Institute, London, 1963. pg55

Written by Erika Dicker
Assistant Curator, March 2008.

Plastic box, with metallised lid, plastic / metal, made by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia, 1941

This box with metal lid was displayed in the Museum, in 1941, to represent the technique of coating plastic with metal, often referred to as metallisation. It was displayed alongside an identical plastic lid (H4396) that had not had metal applied to its surface.

The accompanying label read, "Metal Coating of Plastics- For some time past, attempts have been made to cover synthetic resin products with metal, not only for decorative purposes, but also for technical reasons. A new metal coating process has now been developed, which ensures that the metal particles join with the synthetic resin particles and therefore strengthen the surface of the moulded or laminated article considerably."

The metallisation of plastic can increase its abrasion resistance and conductivity. It also vastly reduces the weight of an object that would otherwise be made from a solid metal. The development of the metallisation process meant these items cost less to produce and provide a greater scope for the design of decorative items. As materials, such as metal, became more scarce during war time years, the metallisation of plastics became a popular alternative to using solid metal parts and objects.

In a journal article published in 'Australian Plastics' Arthur Penfold wrote: "You've all heard about the interestingly important part plastics have played in the war effort of all nations...the need for conserving metal in short supply led to the use of plastics for such military purposes as hand grenades, shell fuse caps [and] practice bombs..." .

It was this short supply of metal that furthered the technological developments of the metallisation process, solving the high demand for metal materials, and reducing production costs.

The plastic box, with lid, was donated by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, large Australian producers of plastic aircraft parts in the 1940s. The 1943 Australasian Manufacturers Directory lists Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd as operating from 242 Princes Highway, Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia. The company is listed as producing such wares as aircraft parts, electrical appliances and parts, jewellery, furniture and interior decorations, household and kitchen appliances, industrial equipment, and optical equipment.

Reference:
Plastics Institute of Australia, 'Australian Plastics Trade Directory', Sydney, 1947
Penfold, A. R., 'A. R. Penfold Reports from London', in 'Australian Plastics', Vol 1, No 4, August 1945, p18

It is often perceived that plastics are a material of the twentieth century; however, its beginnings go back to eighteenth century Europe and conditions created by rapid industrialisation, scientific curiosity and opportunities to create great wealth through innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. Many of the semi-synthetic plastics of the nineteenth century and the synthetic plastics of the twentieth century were influenced by earlier manufacturing methods of making products out of natural plastics such as horn and tortoiseshell. The development of synthetic plastics, however, allowed for a product that was not subject to availability and fluctuating costs.

The Australian plastics processing industry began around 1917, growing significantly after World War Two. In 1939 production of plastics was around one thousand tonnes per year and fifty years later it had grown to around nine hundred thousand tonnes . New innovations in plastics, a rising population and increasing home ownership and household consumption were major influences on this growth. Today the plastics industry is one of Australia's largest manufacturing sectors.

Between 26 and 28 September 1934, the Sydney Technical College and the museum collaborated to develop what was advocated as the first Plastics Industry Exhibition in Australia. It is likely that this sample was displayed during this exhibition, along with the first permanent plastics display established at the museum. This exhibition was advocated as the first plastics exhibition in Australia. The museum contributed the majority of the exhibits, which included colourful moulded objects and synthetic resin powders. A feature of the exhibition was a working press mould that turned out plastic objects as the audience watched, lent by John Heine and Son. A Conversazione was held on the evening of 26th September, 1934 'to which prominent citizens, including representatives of the Plastics Industry were invited', and at which both Penfold and Dr N H Lang gave lectures on the plastics industry

A permanent display of plastics was established at the museum, and was described by the Sunday Telegraph as 'the best display of plastics and fibres in the world…show(ing) the complete history of plastics from first experiments to the latest developments' . Penfold was greatly concerned with the technical and commercial development of local industries, such as the plastics industry, and believed that the museum was 'destined to play a conspicuous part in bringing Science to the aid of industry' through both research and display.

In December 1944 Penfold, along with Mr C H Hunt of Newcastle Technical College, was commissioned by the NSW Government to investigate overseas technological trends in the plastic industry, including the training of technical personnel, throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. On his return Penfold continued to promote the importance of Australia's development of a vigorous research and training program in developing local technical expertise arguing that: 'The field is so vast and the potentialities of plastics is so promising, that no effort should be spared to provide adequate training for all persons wishing to acquire a knowledge of these new materials' .

Reference::
Chemlink Consultants, Australia's Chemical Industry - History and development, available at http://www.chemlink.com.au/chemhist.htm, accessed 08/08/2007.
Penfold, A. R., 'Reports on Plastics Investigation, 1945, in the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom', 31/10/1945
Penfold, A. R., paper, 'Recent Developments of Plastics Overseas', delivered before the Plastics Institute of Australia, NSW Section, 29/11/1945
Penfold, A. R., 'The Influence of Science Museums on Industry', read at the first Biannual Conference of International Council on Museums, 1948
Sunday Telegraph, 'For plastics he saw great things', 11/11/1945
Sydney Technological Museum, Annual Report, 1934

H4395