Definition of plastic

The word "plastic" has a fascinating history! It originates from the Greek word "plastikos", meaning "capable of being molded or shaped". This term was first used in the 16th century to describe the ability of some materials, such as wax or clay, to be molded or shaped. In the 19th century, the term "plastic" was applied to a specific type of material - celluloid, a synthetic resin discovered by John Wesley Hyatt in 1870. Celluloid was the first man-made material that could be molded and shaped, making it a true "plastic". From there, the term "plastic" spread to describe other synthetic materials with similar properties, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Today, the term "plastic" is widely used to describe a broad range of synthetic materials used in packaging, consumer products, and industrial applications.