Quotes by Leo Baekeland

About Leo Baekeland:

Leo Henricus Arthur Baekeland is best known for the inventions of Velox photographic paper in 1893 and Bakelite in 1907. He has been called "The Father of the Plastics Industry" for his invention of Bakelite, an inexpensive, nonflammable, versatile, and popular plastic, which marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I was trying to make something really hard, but then I thought I should make something really soft instead, that could be molded into different shapes. That was how I came up with the first plastic. I called it Bakelite.

Leo Baekeland

Well, it was kind of an accident, because plastic is not what I meant to invent. I had just sold photograph paper to Eastman Kodak for 1 million dollars.

Leo Baekeland

Then I was president of the Bakelite Corporation from 1910 to 1930.

Leo Baekeland

In 1893 I founded a chemical company which I ran until 1899.

Leo Baekeland

I also served on many government committees.

Leo Baekeland

Author Bio

  • NameLeo Baekeland
  • DescriptionAmerican chemist
  • BornNovember 14, 1863
  • DiedFebruary 23, 1944
  • CountryUnited States Of America; Belgium
  • ProfessionChemist; Engineer; Photographer; Inventor
  • AwardsJohn Scott Medal; Willard Gibbs Award