{"title":"Ivory Emulation: The Naturalness of Early Bioinspired Plastics.","authors":"Artur Neves","doi":"10.1080/00026980.2025.2457914","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper explores the intricate relationship between naturalness and bioplastics by examining celluloid, the first commercially successful (bio)plastic. By analysing the trajectory of celluloid, we can gain valuable insights into bioplastic design. Invented in 1868, celluloid transformed the consumer landscape by providing cost-effective alternatives to ivory. John Wesley Hyatt, the inventor of celluloid, developed innovative design and marketing strategies to navigate the public's perception of naturalness. In the context of billiard balls, celluloid's marketing strategy did not focus on its similarity to ivory but on its superior functionality. However, celluloid capitalised on its ability to mimic ivory's aesthetic qualities for everyday items like combs and fans. This paper argues that bioplastics may benefit from embracing their artificial qualities while gradually establishing the notion of their inherent naturalness over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":50963,"journal":{"name":"Ambix","volume":" ","pages":"20-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Ambix","FirstCategoryId":"98","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00026980.2025.2457914","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/2/12 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
This paper explores the intricate relationship between naturalness and bioplastics by examining celluloid, the first commercially successful (bio)plastic. By analysing the trajectory of celluloid, we can gain valuable insights into bioplastic design. Invented in 1868, celluloid transformed the consumer landscape by providing cost-effective alternatives to ivory. John Wesley Hyatt, the inventor of celluloid, developed innovative design and marketing strategies to navigate the public's perception of naturalness. In the context of billiard balls, celluloid's marketing strategy did not focus on its similarity to ivory but on its superior functionality. However, celluloid capitalised on its ability to mimic ivory's aesthetic qualities for everyday items like combs and fans. This paper argues that bioplastics may benefit from embracing their artificial qualities while gradually establishing the notion of their inherent naturalness over time.
期刊介绍：
Ambix is an internationally recognised, peer-reviewed quarterly journal devoted to publishing high-quality, original research and book reviews in the intellectual, social and cultural history of alchemy and chemistry. It publishes studies, discussions, and primary sources relevant to the historical experience of all areas related to alchemy and chemistry covering all periods (ancient to modern) and geographical regions. Ambix publishes individual papers, focused thematic sections and larger special issues (either single or double and usually guest-edited). Topics covered by Ambix include, but are not limited to, interactions between alchemy and chemistry and other disciplines; chemical medicine and pharmacy; molecular sciences; practices allied to material, instrumental, institutional and visual cultures; environmental chemistry; the chemical industry; the appearance of alchemy and chemistry within popular culture; biographical and historiographical studies; and the study of issues related to gender, race, and colonial experience within the context of chemistry.
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