Brief History of Bakelite

Bakelite, invented in 1907 by chemist Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland, was the first entirely manmade plastic.  Earlier plastics were a mixture of natural and synthetic ingredients.  Bakelite, which was named after its inventor Leo Baekeland, (whose great grandson Tony was convicted of the murder of his mother, Barbara- read about it in Savage Grace by Natalie Robbins and Steven Aronson c 1985 by Dell Publishing) is a phenolic resin or phenol-formaldehyde plastic. 

From Bakelite to Catalin

Bakelite was a vast improvement over earlier plastics, as it was heat, moisture, acid and abrasion resistant.  Because of these qualities, it was appropriate for appliance and radio cabinets, handles of clothes irons, and electrical components.  Early Bakelite came only in brown, black, and very dark versions of green, blue and burgundy.  Later, it was discovered that the plastic could be beautifully and intricately carved, and that ability combined with the next generation of the plastic in the form of Catalin that was available in bright red and green made it the perfect material for an even wider variety of consumer goods, including jewelry and house wares.

Bakelite (Catalin) Kitchen Utensils

Due to its heat and moisture resistant properties, Bakelite was the perfect material for the handles of utensils used in the kitchen.  High quality Bakelite kitchenware is still plentiful, and is still found in the back of  utility drawers of homemakers who set up house keeping in the 1940’s and 50’s.  After that time, Bakelite got too expensive and was replaced with cheaper plastics.

Bakelite Kitchenware Values

Bakelite has been a popular collectible for many years, and while the prices for jewelry are high, kitchenware is still affordable.  A flatware service for six (in a four piece place setting) can bring $175, especially in ever popular red or yellow.  A set eight of diamond shaped corn-on-the-cob holders (in their original box) $65-80.  Serving spoons, meat forks, spreaders, spatulas, knives, knife sharpeners and cake breakers are valued between $10-15 each depending on color.  These values are for utensils in excellent condition, without chips or cracks in the handles or rust on the utensils.  Bakelite should never be placed in the dishwasher which can change the color of the plastic and sometimes causes a cloudy film on the surface of the Bakelite.