What is Bakelite/Catalin?

Bakelite & Catalin are both types of phenolic thermosetting resins (early plastic) created from a chemical reaction involving Phenol & Formaldehyde to create a stable compound that is then molded into various shapes for a variety of household and industrial uses.

Bakelite is the earlier of the two plastics invented in 1907 by chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland. It often includes fillers like sawdust to stabilize it which limited its ability to be colored. It's most often found in black or dark reddish-brown colors.

Catalin was created in 1927 and uses a different molding process that doesn't require fillers. Therefore it was able to be made in a variety of beautiful colors, either solid or translucent and swirled to create marbled effects.

Bakelite/Catalin Products