Definition of celluloid

The word "celluloid" originated in the late 19th century to describe a new type of material that was being developed as an alternative to natural materials like ivory and tortoiseshell. The material was made from a compound called cellulose nitrate, which was produced by treating cellulose - a natural polymer found in plant cell walls - with nitric acid. The name "celluloid" was coined by the American company, Eastman Kodak, which began manufacturing this new material in 1887. Originally, they used it to make photographic film, but soon discovered that it could be molded into a variety of shapes and used to make a range of products, from billiard balls and collars to skirts and book covers. Initially, celluloid was a breakthrough material because it was lightweight, strong, and durable, as well as less expensive than the materials it replaced. However, its safety was soon called into question, as it was discovered that the material could decompose under certain conditions, releasing toxic fumes and inflaming easily. This led to several fatal catastrophes in cinemas, as well as a global ban on celluloid for use in film. Today, celluloid has largely been replaced by more stable and safer materials, but its legacy lives on in the many products that were once made from it, and in the English language, where its name continues to be used to describe a variety of things, from film reels to celluloid chess pieces and celluloid skirts.