Velox photographic paper, released in 1893, provided the initial commercial success for chemist Leo Baekeland, allowing for the development of images using artificial light. This invention served as a foundation for his career, eventually leading him to transform the chemical industry through the synthesis of materials that defined the twentieth-century plastic era.
Early Education and Career
Born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1863, Baekeland studied at Ghent University, where he earned a PhD maxima cum laude by age 21. His early professional life included a tenure as a professor at the Government Higher Normal School in Bruges from 1887 to 1889, followed by an associate professorship at his alma mater. In 1889, he travelled to the United States on a scholarship, where his technical proficiency in photography and chemistry caught the attention of American industry experts, prompting his transition to an American-based career.
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After working for the E. and H.T. Anthony photographic company, Baekeland established his own consulting practice. He later founded the Nepera Chemical Company in Yonkers, New York, to manufacture his Velox paper. In 1899, he sold the company to the Eastman Kodak Co. for 750,000 dollars. Following a non-compete agreement regarding photography research, he shifted his focus to electrochemistry, eventually contributing to the success of the Hooker Chemical Company at Niagara Falls by improving the electrolytic cell through the use of asbestos-based diaphragms.
The Development of Bakelite
Seeking a new research direction, Baekeland began a systematic investigation into the reactions between phenol and formaldehyde. While previous chemists had encountered these substances, they often produced useless residues. By meticulously controlling temperature and pressure, Baekeland successfully engineered a moldable, durable synthetic resin. He named this invention Bakelite. This material provided a non-flammable and versatile alternative to natural resins, effectively launching the modern plastics industry and solidifying his reputation within the field of chemical technology.
Fast facts
- Born: 1863, Ghent, Belgium
- Died: 1944, Beacon, United States
- Notable Invention: Bakelite (1907)
- Notable Invention: Velox photographic paper (1893)
- Educated: Ghent University
- Burial Site: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
- Perkin Medal recipient: 1916
- National Inventors Hall of Fame induction: 1978
Questions readers ask
What is the chemical significance of Bakelite?
Bakelite was the first commercially successful synthetic plastic, created by carefully controlling the reaction between phenol and formaldehyde under specific heat and pressure.
Where is Leo Baekeland buried?
He is buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Achievements
- National Inventors Hall of Fame — 1978
- Notable work: Bakelite
- Affiliated with Ghent University
- Educated at Ghent University
- Worked as chemist, engineer and photographer
