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Plastics and modern materials

Discover an array of synthetic plastics and smart materials from the 19th century on, including products made from the materials themselves and scientific and manufacturing equipment used for experimentation.

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Moulded plastic leg bone showing orthopaedic appliances, Europe, 1975-1985

Plastics and Modern Materials

1975-1985

ECHELON Hip System

Plastics and Modern Materials

2006

The REFLECTION Acetabular Cup System

Plastics and Modern Materials

2006

ANTHOLOGY Hip System

Plastics and Modern Materials

2006

A pair of dice made in imitation ivory celluloid, early 20th century.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1901-1930

Pen tray made of gutta-percha

Plastics and Modern Materials

1850-1900

Femoral head used in hip replacements

Plastics and Modern Materials

2006

Dog ornament moulded from gutta percha, 1850-1900

Plastics and Modern Materials

1850-1900

Radio with Bakelite case

Plastics and Modern Materials

1940

Baby's gasmask of khaki green rubber with metal fr

Plastics and Modern Materials

1939

Radome made for Concorde

Plastics and Modern Materials

One of a pair of dice made of ivory cellulose nitrate

Plastics and Modern Materials

1900-1930

Polythene pill box

Plastics and Modern Materials

1936

Compact disc (CD), 1985.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1982-1985

Thiourea-urea-formaldehyde hexagonal Bandalastaware bowl , 1924-1931

Plastics and Modern Materials

1924-1931

Imitation amber brooch in form of a cactus

Plastics and Modern Materials

1941-1950

Plastic jewellery from the John Jesse collection, early 20th century.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1910-1950

Decorative urea formaldehyde box.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1930-1939

Decorative Box in Celulose acetate for Lalique, French, about 1930

Plastics and Modern Materials

1930-1940

Moulded acrylic and plastic bon-bon tray

Plastics and Modern Materials

1940-1949

Earliest existing specimen of viscose rayon, 1898.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1898

Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', vinyl LP record by The Beatles, recorded in 1967.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1967

Rhombus-shaped silicone facial implant, United Kingdom, 1996

Plastics and Modern Materials

1996

Small cylindrical container made of phenol formald

Plastics and Modern Materials

1920-1940

Miscellaneous collection of objects in polyurethan

Plastics and Modern Materials

Polyethylene terephthalate filaments spool, 1943-1944

Plastics and Modern Materials

1943-1944

Rubber ball from Peruvian child's grave, c. 1600.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1590-1610

Rectangular carton pierre book cover, mid 19th century.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1850-1880

Framed samples of Chardonnet artificial silk, 1896.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1896

Samples of casein plastic

Plastics and Modern Materials

1920-1960

Display card of samples of casein plastic

Plastics and Modern Materials

1931-1940
Artificial ceramic Femoral Head, for ceramic-on-ceramic joint replacements, by Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics, England, United Kingdom, 2006

Ceramic-on-ceramic joint replacements

Plastics and Modern Materials

2006

Samples of casein plastic, c. 1920-1960.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1920-1960

Imitation jade, tortoiseshell and coral necklace made of casein, 1930s.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1925-1940

Pair of step cut, square candlesticks of ivory ure

Plastics and Modern Materials

1931-1940
One of three silicone and saline solution-filled breast implants, unsigned, Europe, 2003. Supplied by Mentor Medical Limited.

Silicone and saline breast implants, Europe, 2003

Plastics and Modern Materials

2003

Rubber mat depicting the Crystal Palace, 1951.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1951

Gutta-percha armorial moulding, 1850-1900

Plastics and Modern Materials

1850-1900

Bakelite coffin, 1938.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1938

Mould and moulded rubber plaque

Plastics and Modern Materials

1851

Kelvinator' jug made of urea formaldehyde, c. 1930.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1930

Rectangular Vesta matchbox

Plastics and Modern Materials

1897

Polythene, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and PET bottles, 1950-1985.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1985

Rectangular cigarette box of urea formaldehyde, wh

Plastics and Modern Materials

1930-1940

Teardrop-shaped facial implant, United Kingdom, 1996

Plastics and Modern Materials

1996

Cereal saver, 1985.

Plastics and Modern Materials

Sample of extruded polyethylene, 1938

Plastics and Modern Materials

1938

Polyethylene terephthalate filaments spool, 1943-1944

Plastics and Modern Materials

1943-1944

Objects made from celluloid, 1880s-1920s.

Plastics and Modern Materials

1880-1930

Sample of first nylon knitted tubing

Plastics and Modern Materials

1935