Bakelite distributor rotor Bakelite is a brand named material based on the thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, developed in 1907-1909 by Dr. Leo Baekeland. Formed by the reaction under heat and pressure of phenol and formaldehyde, generally with a wood flour filler, it was used for its nonconductive and heat-resistant properties in radio and telephone casings and electrical insulators. Structure of Bakelite Due to its hardness and durability, it was considered as a material for making pennies during World War II, due to copper being needed for shell casings. Several patterns were made in 1942, but steel was used instead in 1943 and recycled shell casings in 1944 and 1945. Bakelite Corp. was formed in 1922 from General Bakelite Co., Condensite Corp. and Redmanol Co. The company was acquired by Union Carbide and Carbon Corp. in 1938. Bakelite Limited was formed in 1927 from the amalgamation of three suppliers of phenol formaldehyde materials: the Damard Lacquer Company Limited of Birmingham; Mouldensite Limited of Darley Dale and Redmanol Limited of London. Around 1928, A new factory opened in Tyseley, Birmingham in September 1931. It was demolished in 1998. Phenolics are little used in general consumer products today due to the cost and complexity of production and their brittle nature. An exception to the overall decline is the use in small precision-shaped components where their specific properties are required, such as molded disc brake cylinders, saucepan handles, electrical plugs and switches, and electrical iron parts. The retro appeal of old Bakelite products, especially kitchenware and toys, has made them quite collectible in recent years: A quick search of, for example, eBay turns up hundreds of listings for all things Bakelite, ranging from radios to poker chips to telephones. Patents U.S. Patent 942809 -- Condensation product and method of making same See also phenol formaldehyde resin External links Bakelite: The Material of a Thousand Usesde:Bakelit Search Term: "Bakelite" Categories: Plastics | Companies from Birmingham, England