The Plastic Revolution: Celluloid

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

This episode is sponsored by Dashlane

[@Adombom]

@john mac He did 3 weeks ago! Check his uploads. Good episode.

[@comms9803]

I am literally the only fan of celluloid products. I guess i am old-fashioned.

[@Adombom]

@john mac You're welcome!

[@dennishayes65]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered : To Robert Hayes: It costs him time & money to research & upload these videos.It takes money to make money !!!!!

[@mrjaz666]

Because all good sponsorships involve piracy ;)

[@lgkfamily]

@ History Guy: I'm a retired mechanical engineer and I have worked a lot with polymers (plastics). I just want to thank you for fitting polymers into your series, and congratulate you on getting the technical points correct. Even among engineers polymers typically are not well understood. Well done!

[@raybin6873]

Yes - indeed...I worked in plastics industry most my life - had become extremely complex. I worked with some superb engineers in this field...🇺🇸

[@benjaminlewis671]

I want to comment this exact same comment. Great Job on this from a former polymer scientist.

[@altarush]

It was very informative.

[@JohnSmith-ft2tw]

Best of all, while I have a basic scientific understanding of polymers, the explanations are clear and concise, fit for many levels of understanding. And while we rightfully laud his work for it's informational content, let us not forget the historian and his weaving of life events into the narrative. History gives us the facts. The storyteller breathes life anew into the tombs of our past, and raises the dead, even if only for a few precious moments. Thanks for a job well done.

[@jasonmorgan661]

We dont wanna hear about your days in a plastic spoon factory.😅 just kidding. What was the kind of products you worked with?

[@FoulOwl2112]

I collect antique pocket knives and straight razors. For whoever may not know, be very careful about storing steel or iron with early celluloid. Especially in air tight containers. In fact DON'T DO IT! The outgassing of the early celluloid will attack the metal and oxidize and rust your knife and razor blades into dust. If the razor or knife has a celluloid handle store it in open air, with the blade open preferably. I ruined some of my most collectable razors by storing them in air tight bins. Expensive lesson to learn.

[@kevinlesch9656]

Not anything I'm into collecting at this point but very interesting to know. THG apparently is not the only instructor in the room. Thank you for that tid bit

[@xiro6]

thanks alzo here.

[@manichamartia8775]

I was thinking about getting into that. Now that I know I have an excuse to keep them all semi-open to show them off.

[@bigpop762]

You could use some ZERUST blocks and store them in sealed containers. ZERUST makes a rust stopping vapor and works really well for tools and fishing gear.

[@FoulOwl2112]

@@bigpop762 thanks l appreciate the input.Im familiar with the product and it is very goid. But just keeping them in either paper or cloth works just fine. I'll just stay away from airtight containers like Tupperware and sweater boxes that trap in the nitric acid vapors. It was a lesson learned. Ive got razors from as for back as the 1580's. I don't want to apply anything to them. Even rust protectant will effect their collector's value.

[@N0rdman]

One aspect of celluloid is the risks it introduced to cinema film projector machinists; not only had they to cope with making the machines work, often using electric arcs with graphite but also the extremely volatile nature of celluloid in combination. The machinist's booth, in light of the risks to the large audience, was designed like a concrete and steel box with guillotine like steel shutters hung by thin threads from the ceiling. The idea was if the celluloid film would catch fire, the fire would cut the threads and the steel shutters would come down like visors blocking the projection opening and the door and enclose the flammable materials, to protect the hundreds in the audience, thereby enclosing the projector machinist in his own personal incinerator. The machinist's of old days always had one foot through the door, just in case... I've seen those old cinemas with that design, a little macabre.

[@rogersheddy6414]

That is a major theme of the plot of the film Cinema Paradisio. A movie well worth watching.

[@N0rdman]

@@rogersheddy6414 I haven't seen that film, but I have put it on my list. Thanks.

[@N0rdman]

@MrPitjoey you're welcome!

[@robozstarrr8930]

@@rogersheddy6414 recommend the Director's Cut version . . ( longer version )...

[@gertvanpeet3120]

The first is cellulose nitrate, (fire Risk) the later cellulose acetate, problem solved! Glue together with ethylacetate. Fuji came with polyester film.

[@cjswag]

As a PhD in chemistry, I commend you on your working through the science. You even generally got the pronunciations right, which can be tricky. Very well done!

[@ossietee7562]

I am a big fan of this “channel”, being a history buff. As a retired professor of chemistry, I particularly appreciated the chemistry and science in this episode. Well done!

[@creekjonsun]

Dawson City in the Yukon, was the last distribution point for celluloid films. It was deemed to be too costly to ship the films back to the USA. So huge stockpiles of silent movies were stored in Dawson. As years went by, archivist collected and salvaged these thousands of lost movies and saved recorded history. A video has been shown on the TCM ( Turner Classic Movies) channel and I think you and others would enjoy seeing these Hollywood and Dawson silent movies . TCM has a website if you have an interest . :)

[@rutabagasteu]

I saw it. Very interesting show.

[@musicandfiction]

@Peter Rogan - Look up the Fox Vault Fire of 1937 for more reasons why.

[@CrystalMouse1]

Thomas Brown I’ve been to Dawson city! How fascinating

[@bwayne40004]

I rented this via Netflix. It was interesting for sure. I enjoyed it. A direct Trump zinger early on but pretty much a documentary.

[@WCM1945]

@Peter Rogan I fear some of my family movies are on 8mm celluloid, at least the oldest B&W ones.

[@jddillon6842]

So much of the history that we learn in school is only about the big events that have taken place, usually either major conflicts or major achievements. Your channel is wonderful proof that there was - and still is - history being made everyday somewhere in the world. Unfortunately, most of these daily events get forgotten over time. But you, like some sleuthy grave digger that you are, manage to dig up the past and, through the modern miracle of multimedia, bring this long-buried history back to life. To tell the truth, this "trivial" history is actually quite refreshing to learn. It's like reading a newspaper article about some event from a long time ago as though it just happened yesterday. But more importantly, a lot of the subjects you talk about had a very important impact on our lives, and we never knew why - until now. Thank you again for your wonderful elocution on all things history. We appreciate it more than you will ever know.

[@robbabcock_]

Indeed, history is lots and lots of small steps and folks few people have heard of.

[@jamesslick4790]

I find the history of "ordinary" things more fascinating than the "big" events, for 2 reasons, We largely "know" the "big" stuff, and Often it's the "little" stuff that's had the greatest impact on our daily life. You mentioned newspapers, One of my favorite things to do is to read our local newspapers from Google Newspaper archives from 60,80,100,120 etc, years ago. The ads, classifieds,editorials, EVERYTHING. Really a great way to see what my city was REALLY like and how those events,decisions,projects,hopes are still evident and shape what it is now. (I.E. a real-estate development proposition in a cow pasture of 1905 is a now well known suburb of importance today.) Told in "real time". The "small" stuff is EVERY bit as important as the "big" stuff.

[@Mike-yt5cw]

Some very few fountain pens are still made of celluloid (now, the pen development wars, there is an idea for an episode!). As with old knives and razors with celluloid handles, as mentioned below, these should be stored where they can get air. Outgassing goes on for who knows how long. Thank you so much for your videos. So much deserves to be remembered. We have no idea where we are or where we are going if we don't know and remember how we got here in the first place...

[@nikevisor54]

So happy to have found this channel. So many fun topics that I'd have never heard of outside of your content. Thank you kindly for your hard work and for helping us all remember a little more of our history each day :)

[@kamilbro6106]

sOMEdude64 the algorithm knows all

[@dirtcop11]

If I was teaching history I think I would include episodes of your posts. They both inform and entertain. But they also take those nuggets of history that get overlooked and pique the average viewer's interest.

[@robross8935]

Jesse Oaks I do teach history. I have used several History Guy videos in my classes.

[@kellytrimble4120]

I just made a couple of comments on this and other History Guy episodes like that. I think we are teaching history in completely the wrong way. Historians have always gotten hung up on politics, who the dictator was and how they got to be dictator and how they got deposed, etc. History is taught as being all about who has political power, whether as individuals or classes or regions of people. Everything that has happened in history has been driven by the technology available and history has changed as technology advances. For example, the history of the middle ages has more to do with what the printing press did, which made advancements in philosophy possible that led to the deposing of monarchs, and now the internet is changing politics in ways we don't understand yet, yet every county on earth is trying to control it because it could depose them, even the US. A lot of history is due to changes in metalurgy, for example, or other materials sciences, including plastics, and most history professors don't understand that. I don't know how to put all that together, but I think that is what needs to be taught, not the orations of Cicero or the despotism of King George or the effects of Reconstruction, etc. Slavery, for example, may have been made obsolete by advancements in agriculture and manufacturing probably more than the moral imperative. If slavery was abolished purely because of the morals of it, why was it not abolished a hundred years earlier.

[@pinksugarcookies71]

I was thinking the same thing. How he explains it AND I can understand and retain it is pretty awesome. Not mindless tv, what a treat!!

[@AFloridaSon]

Who cares about the history of plastic? *It turns out that **_I do,_** although 20 minutes ago, I had no idea that I had an interest in it.*

[@greggi47]

That's one of the great things about what THG does--shines lights in corners we would always overlook with his guidance.

[@tboy4343]

mee too

[@AFloridaSon]

@Dale Leisenring Good point

[@boulderbash19700209]

@Dale Leisenring Chess pieces were made from wood.

[@boulderbash19700209]

@Dale Leisenring Why not? Chess pieces can be made from anything that can be carved, I guess. There is a video for that (rule 34 y ;-) ) .. Check out /watch?v=SPqU6K_GaqA

[@geoben1810]

Amazing how far back in history our use of plastic goes and how much of an impact it's had and does have on the global economy and the environment. And of course it takes the History Guy to bring to light the kind history that deserves to be remembered. Thanks H.G.! 👍😉

[@kenneychappuis1853]

I’m so glad I accidentally stumbled upon this channel. Thank you sir for another great video.

[@d4mdcykey]

Until you casually mentioned it in this video I (somehow) never knew that shellac came from a bug. Had to look that tidbit up: 'Shellac is an insect resin secreted by the Lac bug, a very small red parasitic bug that attaches itself to a small variety of trees in India and Southeast Asia. The insect feeds on the sap of the tree and secretes the Lac as a protective shell in which the female lay their eggs.' That's one of the things I enjoy about your channel, I click for the subject at hand and usually receive alot of other interesting things to go and explore as well.

[@greggi47]

I heard about this in a junior high school wood shop class. I knew the tools and uses but never managed to use them to produce anything remotely like what the teacher said was acceptable. He disapproved even more after my query about whether lac bug were always used wild or if they were farmed. He didn't know.

[@flagmichael]

We like bug juices! Carmine is beautiful.

[@catcook3324]

@@flagmichael Cochineal too.

[@VoidHalo]

I absolutely LOVE these episodes that combine science and history. You explain them so well. It's rare for a non-science channel to be so accurate in reporting on scientific topics. It's clear that you have as much a passion for science as you do for history. I really look forward to seeing more videos like this. I'd be interested to see your take on the history of chemistry that focuses on dangerous chemistry, like the isolation of fluorine and accidents in chemistry labs from such pursuits. Thanks for taking the time to make these and for sharing your passion for history with all of us on KZbin. Your enthusiasm is truly contagious and makes for videos all the more enjoyable. Cheers.

[@StormyDay]

My ex-boss’s grandfather invented the celluloid guitar picks in 1922 because the little hearts they stamped out to put on top of wooden boxes looked like the tortoise shell guitar picks his brother used. Celluloid is still used to make them today, and also drum shells, pickguards and accordion casings and other accoutrements for musical instruments and accessories. Someone once called me and wanted to make collar stays out of celluloid and I strongly dissuaded him from doing so, due to the flammability factor if people who used it smoked. Celluloid has a tolerance for high atmospheric temperatures when new, but that decreases as the product ages, a little bit every year. It can spontaneously explode. In the very early part of the 20th century, they actually made ash trays out of celluloid-but not for long! Next? How about the history of Bakelite?

[@hankfacer7098]

Really feel like I have just attended a University Lecture Hall. What an amazing video, what an amazing product, what an amazing presentation. Thank you

[@johnthemachine]

I work with old celluloid on acoustic guitars, really appreciate this one! No idea how I missed it years ago!

[@michaelinsc9724]

Big fan of THG! One area where celluloid is still used is in fountain pens. Cellulose nitrate was used in fountain pens early on, but for the same reasons you delineated, was replaced by cellulose acetate. It is still highly prized as a material in fountain pens today. Keep up the fantastic content!!!

[@stevenlitvintchouk3131]

You're not only a superb history teacher; you just gave us a great lesson in biochemistry. As good as any I ever got from my old chemistry instructor.

[@JasonLambek]

Another gem from TheHistoryGuy. Thank you for this. Very interesting 🤔 I

[@christopherjohnson3520]

Horacio Alger Award Winner Harold Warp invented Plastic Wrap & 20 other products. He lived to be 93. He collected everything from 1850 to 1950 & built an Amazing Museum in his home town, Minden, Nebraska. “Pioneer Village”.

[@fisqual]

Another awesome story to improve my morning.

[@purdueMET]

Engineering Technology professor here - this is a nice overview of plastics and their properties. You got the technical details right while making the history interesting. Well done :-)

[@danschreffler1280]

That's cool. I am now going to look and see if there is a video on BAKELITE.

[@nikolausluhrs]

Theres not, but if I remember correctly nile red did a good video on making it.

[@rogerscottcathey]

@@nikolausluhrs What do you mean there's not? There's lots.

[@jonathanscott7372]

Bakelite is a thermoset rather than a thermoplast. In simpler terms it means the polymer chains crosslink in processing and it cannot be remelted.

[@nikolausluhrs]

@@rogerscottcathey oh i meant by the history guy

[@rogerscottcathey]

@@nikolausluhrs : Ah, I see. Cheers.

[@aaronwernz5788]

Thank you to Mr and Mrs history guy for keeping history alive for all of us. Thoroughly enjoy your channel.

[@michaelwolfslau2373]

Hey History Guy! Big fan of the channel. If I may suggest a topic for a future episode of forgotten history, how about the only commissioned US naval vessel still held captive by enemy hands, the USS Pueblo?

[@sundhaug92]

That is an especially interesting story when considering why it was captured, the connection to John Anthony Walker

[@jmullentech]

@@sundhaug92 Having never heard of neither the incident nor Walker, holy shit. This is absolutely mind boggling!

[@sundhaug92]

@@jmullentech Could also link it to an incident of congress-members smashing a Toshiba radio, after it became known that Toshiba and Kongsberg had sold CNC-machines to the Soviet-Union. Using these machines, the soviets were able to reduce the noise from submarine propellers, which the americans had used to monitor soviet subs, a fact the soviets became aware of through Walker and the Pueblo

[@BradPanoff]

@uncletigger You're incorrect. At various points during the Cold War, the west, and particularly the US, had such overwhelming tactical and strategic superiority, coupled with the ability to achieve first-strike surprise that the Soviet Union would have ceased functioning as a organized society; notably, the early parts of the Cold War, and the period 1977 to (at least) 1987. Clearly the US never wanted to push the Soviet Union into war, because we didn't. This was largely unnecessary, though understandable from the Soviet point of view given their history of invasions. The Soviet obsession with secrecy, espionage, their closed society, and hypersensitivity to criticism caused them to mis-allocate resources in ways we're all still paying for today.

[@BradPanoff]

@uncletigger There are many decaffeinated brands on the market just as tasty as the real thing.

[@RestoreMoreMCM]

I miss your previous introduction as it makes an understanding of your passion for history. My high school history teacher taught history with respect and addressed his students with the respectful Miss and Mister. Your degree in history was only the genus of your dignified and accurate love for history, foundational. So many channels are just magpies and repeat what someone else has previously spewed. In our times you represent stability and a glimmer of hope that what we have survived will take us through what lies ahead.

[@bigblue6917]

I remember watching a television programme some years ago and it mention the use of gun cotton in the manufacture of billiard balls. It occurred in a saloon out west. What triggered the event is not know. Whether it was something to do with the hot weather or the balls being poorly made is unsure. But what they are sure about is that when one player took his shot and the cue ball hit on of the other balls it caused a loud explosion. Similar to a gun shot. But that was not the end of it. On hearing the explosion, and this being in a saloon, it was supposed by some that someone had 'commenced a-shooting' as they say, and many of those inside the saloon decided to join in on the basis that the person being shot at was them. The fight was brief, and I believe there were some casualties, but once everyone realised there was no drunken shooter the firing stopped. Who know a game like billiards could be so dangerous.

[@erinnefessler8055]

Has been awesome watching channel grow, but i do miss hearing "short snippets" from time to time. Love the vids, glad you've decided to share with the world, its truly appreciated. Thanks History Guy!

[@vicaroo001]

Awesome episode.

[@fatboyrowing]

I’m an engineer that works in the plastics industry…. And I learned a ton in this video. Thanks THG!

[@Zobeid]

I'm a fountain pen collector, and very familiar with celluloid - and that other classic material, "ebonite", or hard rubber. I have several Sheaffer Triumph pens from the 1940s which are made from beautiful celluloid with alternating transparent and colored stripes. That was high quality material. Despite their advancing age, the pens are well-preserved and still look almost new. Rubbing the surface vigorously and sniffing still produces a faint whiff of camphor. You can do the same with ebonite pens and pick up a rubber scent. Fountain pens are still produced today, and modern acrylic plastics have largely - but not entirely - taken over. Celluloid and ebonite are now looked upon as luxury materials for high priced pens, custom pens and limited editions.

[@greggi47]

Is pen sniffing a recognized paraphilia? I hope it is practiced widely. Fountain pens are wonderful in so many ways. I like to use them, though the quality of my penmanship is poor. And the quality of too much writing paper (itself a phrase that sounds quainter every year)

[@greggi47]

is bad so actual pen ink doesn't work with it. We live in depraved times.

[@williamkeith8944]

Bakelite also has a distinct smell after rubbing it.

[@alexcarter8807]

Ebonite is also the material used to make some of the most desired saxophone and clarinet etc mouthpieces (not brass instruments, those are made of ... brass .... lol) but ebonite is even used to make whole clarinets or was, anyway.

[@MarcTBG]

That ad insert was so flawless it actually made me want dashlane... his voice and mannerisms is dangerously powerful.

[@charlesmartin8454]

This episode has been greatly researched.......thank you. As a little extra, the elasticity of proteins (especially enzymes) can be very intricate with folding and unfolding to do the job they're designed for. Their functions however are best under exacting conditions of pH etc. Take the normal human temperature of 98.6°F. If we run a high temperature of 104°F many enzymes malfunction. As a comparison dogs run a normal temperature of 104°F but if dropped to human levels their enzymes would malfunction. Just goes to show how evolution has created such specific conditions for how different species function internally.

[@matthewtullis7205]

I wish to offer a heartfelt thank you and wishes for continued success Mr. History Guy. Not only for bringing history to life in an entertaining way but for also creating a bastion of thoughtful and non politicized narrative in a time of historical rewriting and retconning. Just the facts, sir. This is invaluable. I believe when I get home this evening I shall do something I have never done for any other youtube channel and become a patreon. You have earned it. Again thank you

[@jameswilber518]

"Millions of feet of film...burned up in vault fires, it even caused some fires in hospitals because the film was used for X-rays". Maybe THG is foreshadowing an episode on The Great Cleveland Hospital Xray Fire of 1929. Now THAT's history, that deserves to be remembered! (horrifying, tho it is)

[@pfadiva]

Fascinating Horror did an episode on that. It was a horrifying piece of history.

[@charlestaylor8832]

I’m a Plastics Engineer by training and profession. You did a wonderful job covering the history of my industry. Then again I wouldn’t expect anything less.

[@scythelord]

90% of plastic in the ocean comes from 9 rivers. 5 in China, two in India and 2 from the continent of Africa. The rest of the world makes up most of the remainder, except that recently it's been discovered that China is intentionally dumping enormous amounts of plastic waste in the Atlantic (and potentially all oceans) from their container ships at sea. It was discovered because of China made plastics with date codes far too recent to ever have floated around to the atlantic were washing up on the western shores of Africa.

[@berrytharp1334]

The Democrat party and the media is protecting China at all costs, that is the real reason for the Trump hatred and anti-Russian propaganda.

[@berrytharp1334]

@Darth Wiffy Big fan of McCarthy?

[@Delgen1951]

@@berrytharp1334 and Trump can't tell the truth as he does not know what it is, and you want Jeroboam to run the US Government, i pray God not.

[@berrytharp1334]

@@Delgen1951

[@bharatgupta7678]

Mr scythe, 90% ocean polution is from giant luxury ocean liners of us, uk, australia. And u forgot america,s massive naval fleets around the world, Where do u think all their biohazard filth is going,

[@robbiekipping1124]

You and your subjects are delightful. There is a connection between technology and history that should be understood by all students, young and old,

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

I have often wondered the history of Bakelite plastic. It was widely used in electronics from radio cases to insulators of electrical components . Even household items were made from it.

[@greggi47]

Yes--the old telephones where made wtih it, and had lovely heft and seriousness. When I was a kid, making or getting a long distance call was an Event for ordinary people,reserved for special occasions--announcements of birth, death and disasters as well as birthday greetings.

[@kathyhester3066]

Jewelry and purses that are made of Bakelite are highly sought after by collectors.

[@SquishyZoran]

What about electrical boxes? I see them every once in a while but they are super fragile and I thought they were pressed wood for the longest time!

[@billybodacious2337]

Some vehicles use phenolic pistons in their brake calipers. It's a major component of Bakelite. Essentially it could withstand the rapid changes in temperature and extreme heat.

[@goodun2974]

The fanciest form of Bskelite is called Catalin and resembles polished stone or marble, comes in a variety of colors. VERY collectible, especially brightly colored Catalin radios, some of which are worth thousands of dollars. The story of the fsmily that held the patent on Bakelite is one of tragedy, madness, and murder.

[@telcomguy1]

A great way to take a break from work 10 to 15 minutes is just right and I always come away with a better understanding of history.

[@ajsilva1973]

I absolutely hated history when I was young. Had you been my teacher, I would've got straight A's. I'm glad we have KZbin here in Afghanistan on satellite! Thank you!

[@shanek2140]

I really enjoy how you write and deliver you're scripts. " the compound that led us into the future, has now been relegated to the past" that's art

[@johntabler349]

"The substance that led us to the future has been relegated to the past " there is a poetry to that description of progress that is haunting

[@awjohnson1872]

I appreciate and anticipate your videos. As a lover of history I find your videos informative and entertaining. My interest in history is eclectic and your are diverse in your subject matter. Thank you from an old country boy from Texas. Keep them coming Sir. Ec

[@raydunakin]

I really think that the people trying to eliminate the use of plastic have no idea how ubiquitous and vital it is to modern life.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

I think the focus is on phasing out the use of single use plastics, rather than plastics generally.

[@resmarted]

@@heronimousbrapson863 like facemasks

[@KRWoodworks]

@@resmarted Facemasks are not made of plastic

[@resmarted]

@@KRWoodworks they have plastic parts sweaty

[@seanworkman431]

Bit like the ones who want to create zero carbon emissions, they just don't want to know all the facts.

[@HeinzizBaKeD]

my favourite episode so far. I love your channel, please don't ever stop!

[@CesarAbeid]

My grandpa (born in 1906) remembered when plastic became “a thing.”

[@dennishayes65]

Cesar Abeid :One of my grandpas was also born in 1906. Died in Dec. 1986.

[@pjkentucky]

Cesar Abeid year ur grandfather remembers when everything became a thing. My grandfather was born in 1900 and was a storyteller. He told. The time he saw his first car, first time he saw a dirigible balloon in the sky, an airplane, men landing on the moon. I was a young boy around the mid1960’s and we took him to the big city to shop in a large Sears. He was in awe of moving stairs (an escalator) he never saw one before and was truly amazed. So your grandfather saw it all before his eyes in his life time.

[@CesarAbeid]

@@dennishayes65 Hey Dennis! Mine passed away in 1992. He was awesome.

[@CesarAbeid]

@@pjkentucky How cool, thanks for sharing! Yes, we talk about our generation experiencing new things (Internet, smartphones, etc), but can you imagine the first time you saw a horseless carriage?

[@russellbritt1022]

I can’t tell you how much I truly enjoy your content. You Sir, are someone who deserves to also be remembered.

[@lawrencefusco3096]

Every time I watch one of your videos I can't help thinking how my life might have been different if I had a teacher like you in school! Please keep up the great work you do!

[@oldgundog4705]

I had a great teacher in the 6th grade - Marguerite Swafford - and she was life changing.

[@llapmsp]

Plastics have always fascinated me. So this episode was well worth watching. Thanks for making it.

[@jackphillips3512]

There are still guitar picks and guitar adornments made from celluloid.

[@robertrabinoff6181]

Willie Nelson's guitar was probably made of celluloid.

[@roberthayes6329]

@@robertrabinoff6181 just watched a vid-j-o on trigger from stew-mac. Shellac is the main ingredient.

[@goodun2974]

Lucky for tortoises that celluloid was invented!

[@christopping5876]

Unsurprisingly, another truly excellent episode! Thank you.

[@tonyk1584]

Mr. Maguire: "Ben, I want to say just one word to you" Ben: "Yes sir" Mr. Maguire: "Just one word" Ben: "Yes sir" Mr. Maguire: "Plastics"

[@dougbohning]

Is that quote from the graduate with Dustin Hoffman

[@tonyk1584]

@@dougbohning Yep

[@brianmorrow5350]

Weird and funny how Mr. Maguire turned out to be right.....

[@tonyk1584]

@@brianmorrow5350 Yep

[@hebneh]

We never found out if Ben followed up by investigating a career in plastics after he and Elaine ran off together from her wedding.

[@lesinboston9208]

My dad was a toolmaker and began his career machining plastic molds in Leominster Ma. This was known as the Pioneer Plastic City. He later started his own business, Union Products. One of the products they made was the iconic pink flamingo. The company was also the world's largest plastic flower pot manufacturer.

[@geowidman]

Was expecting a video clip to be inserted; from "The Graduate," "One word: Plastics!"

[@michaelgriggs8552]

Hey History Guy! Your narration has made leaps and bounds in improving. The transitions are far more fluidly made and naturally recited. You are definitely putting in some time to get things right. Keep up the good work!

[@eliscanfield3913]

I love finding HG before KZbin alerts me :)

[@jp-um2fr]

Happy Christmas and may 2020 be a good year for you and your family. Miles from anywhere in an old Victorian building stood a large old diesel generator. It was started by using a small roll of celluloid film in a presure cannister where it was ignited. Nobody knew how much film to use. It might seem an antiquated method but I'm glad safety factors were rather high in the old days. It took 3 attempts to get the injectors fully primed but it was awsome. After many, many years all the lights came on, nobody had bothered to switch them off. We did, the old rubber and cloth wiring was rotten.

[@stevehuffman7453]

Celluloid nasty stuff when (not "if") it starts outgassing. Destroys everything around it.

[@mellissadalby1402]

Where do you get all of these great stories? I am thankful for your dogged persistence in finding and presenting these items of history that do indeed "deserve to be remembered".

[@danieltaylor5231]

Does anyone else think that The History Guy picks his sponsors on how easy it will be to slip in a "pirate" reference?😇

[@A._is_for]

Every good story involves pirates

[@BorutPeterlinPhotography]

I loved this episode, since I'm specialised in wet plate collodion process and I am familiar with the use of celluloid in photography and cinematography, but I've learned lots from your video. Thank you

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

If it weren't for chemicals, Life would be impossible....

[@muddpuppy07]

@Jack Russell everything is made up of chemical compounds. Water, wood, and yes humans.

[@okayestguitar66]

I loved the mention of guitar picks at the end... Thanks for the videos!

[@williamoldaker5348]

Now the anticipation of the Gun Cotton Episode.

[@catcook3324]

How about the Gutta Percha episode?

[@goodun2974]

Guncotton: flaming kitchen aprons, no ash!

[@davidhunt7519]

I am impressed with your ability to discuss scientific subjects as fluently as political history. Very well done. I remember reading a late 19th century book that referred to celluloid windows and the "age of plastic," in the 1890's. I had no idea.

[@johnopalko5223]

Celluloid's reactivity made it, at worst, a danger and, at best, a major pain in the butt. However, it was probably the most environmentally friendly plastic simply because it did degrade.

[@flagmichael]

Other plastics degrade even more quickly. I had a 1985 Volvo with French wiring. The insulation looked like PVC but was designed to decompose in mere decades. Unfortunately for owners, the process started much sooner than that in exposed areas of the car, like under the hood. The insulation would crumble away if touched before the car's life was otherwise half over. In 1988 Volvo went back to sane wire.

[@readmeat4vegans829]

WOW!!! Great episode. Usually you do little known facts/points of history. But this was a fundamental building block of modern life. Really enjoyed this, and learned quit a bit I did not know. For instance - what gun cotton is/was and how it was/is made.

[@servico100]

It will be a sad day when THG fails to enrich or pull back the curtains. My candidate for a synthetic was polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride commonly known as bakelite. Thank you, Sir

[@greggi47]

Yes. I hope t see an ep about the multi uses of that.

[@timeflysintheshop]

If celluloid was the first thermoplastic, was Bakelite the first thermoset?

[@servico100]

@@timeflysintheshop The product that was initially used for automotive batteries was invented in the 1850s. It was rubber that had processes and additives .to make it a soild. Was it a thermoset I do not know.

[@BrucesPhonograph]

@@timeflysintheshop yes, it was. It also was used in the (late) early audio industry by Thomas Edison. Edison's Diamond Disks (almost 1/2 inch thick records had their playing surfaces made of Bakelite or what Edison called Condensite.

[@BrucesPhonograph]

@@timeflysintheshop See the below comment by me.

[@032319581]

Amazing how entwined our lives are with celluloid

[@nikolausluhrs]

Dang, celuloid pingpong balls are great. Also fun to light on fire

[@greggi47]

Is there truth to the rumor that those balls might combust spontaneously, from friction or impact?

[@knightowl3577]

@@greggi47 That's what my wife says!

[@antonnym214]

THANK YOU! Your stuff is always hyper-interesting, well-researched and expertly presented. I'm most grateful to find a treatise on plastic which is not preachy about the waste and environmental issues. All good wishes!

[@jamesstumpf75]

I really don’t think plastic itself is the problem with our environment. It’s what we do with it that is the problem. It’s such a wonderful product that it literally can be recycled and recycled hundreds of times. The problem is when you throw it away even if you choose to recycle and pay the extra money, the recycling plants and just the Normal garbage plants don’t do what they’re supposed to do. And then you have countries that use our oceans as a trashcan. Literally dumping millions of tons of garbage in our oceans each year. Oh shit detected at your front door there’s plastic garbage everywhere. But at almost every place where you can stop and pull over there’s a garbage can no one is willing to use. So people it’s not plastic that is the problem, we are the problem

[@HemlockRidge]

Yes. Definitely the Third World is responsible for most of the pollution on Earth. BUT, the First World still gets blamed. Just because of Political Correctness.

[@davidjames666]

Greedy businesses pay greedy Chinese to send it overseas to China where it is supposed to be recycled instead, it is either dumped or burned. Donald Trump is correct not to trust the Chinese

[@Gastogh]

The molecular structure of plastics degrades every time it goes through the recycling process. Saying they can be recycled "hundreds of times" is way overkill.

[@d4mdcykey]

@@HemlockRidge ~ Huh? Unless you're suggesting the First World does not pollute at all then you're not making alot of sense. We contribute to pollution, this is a fact, so some of the 'blame' is warranted. I'm unaware of anyone claiming only the First World is to blame and the Third World is not at all, as a blanket absolutist claim.

[@HemlockRidge]

@@d4mdcykey Look up the word "most" for the definition.

[@ELMS]

That was especially well written. Good job.

[@bsjeffrey]

hemp plastics

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

It is a natural for of cellulose, and plastics made from plant based polymers are seeing a bit of a renaissance.

[@828enigma6]

It's a shame George Washington Carver is no longer with us.

[@jimfrederich8852]

I always enjoy and learn from your concise informative bits of history. Thanks! I grew up in Affton, Mo. on St. Louis’s South side. I understand that you are from the St. Louis area too. We’re you a history teacher? You would have been perfect at it. Please keep up the great history lessons.

[@billthompson5644]

If it wasn't for plastic, General Motors would have went out of business 40 years ago.

[@fisqual]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@dheujsnrhfydhehehshshhdggsd]

One might argume they did because they did.

[@mediamattersismycockholste562]

Hollywood actresses and actors too...

[@gordoncan]

Fountain pen collector and repairer here, love to see this video on celluloid! Vintage pens are commonly made out of this material, and the quality and beauty of celluloid outdoes many modern pens.

[@mikecurtin9831]

Good stuff. Thumbs up (before watching) to crush a troll.

[@joegee2815]

Another captivating snippet. Loved every minute.

[@mikebronicki6978]

As George Carlin said, "Why are we here? ...Plastic."

[@charliegarrison9688]

Its a new paradigm, the Earth+Plastic. The earth isn't going anywhere, WE are! 😂😂

[@A._is_for]

Why are we here? Because the plastic broke 🤣

[@bencesarosi7718]

What an awesome episode! Could you please do a detailed one on Galalith and simliar plastics as well?

[@russell2952]

4:37 - Did you say that wool is made of cellulose?

[@Shaun.Stephens]

I heard that too. Very very wrong. Wool is mainly 'made' from keratin, a completely different natural polymer. (I think he meant to say 'cotton' there.)

[@markholm7050]

It’s a simple error, but could lead to significant misunderstanding, since it pertains to a major difference between the plant and animal kingdoms.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

@@markholm7050 Agreed. I've noticed several errors in his videos now and it makes me wonder... If I'm noticing that many things wrong that I know about already am I actually reliably learning anything from these vids?

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

When you consider the volume of information compacted into a video like this, factual errors are bound to occur. He probably meant 'cotton wool'. It seems like a trivial thing to achieve 100% accuracy in a video because the average viewer (that does not make videos) is thinking about production of a single video where fact checking and script editing can be done to the nth degree. In reality, the production of many videos over time creates these sorts of mistakes. It is incredibly work-intensive. The good news is nobody's going to die because there's a single goof in this video.

[@davecoxx7082]

I've worked in the plastic industry for the last 20 years. Very cool to learn its history. Very cool. Thanks History Guy.

[@Pocketfarmer1]

You should have ended this episode with a film burn through.

[@jmeyer3rn]

Great video. I learn so much from you HG! You never fail. Love your channel very much. Guess I wouldn’t get my morning coffee without plastic. I appreciate my plastic coffee maker very much.

[@rayceeya8659]

The real downside of celluloid was it's flammability. It burns like crazy and it ignites at around 300F or 150C. That is ridiculously low. Combine that with the high powered arc lamps used in projectors of the time and you have one hell of a recipe for disaster. I'm just old enough to have seen more modern acetate film rip and tear while watching a movie a few times. The acetate melts immediately and vaporizes. I can only imaging what happens when cellulose film does the same thing.

[@deltavee2]

Lance, you teach very naturally and succinctly. You have covered a wide variety of subjects in easily digestible chunks. Have you ever considered marketing tranches of your videos in sets specifically structured for and made available to schools? History classes of course come to mind immediately and I'm sure there are others within your scope.

[@cheebawobanu]

I'm old enough to remember when humans had plasticity.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

We still do! We have neuroplasticity!

[@norsehall309]

From An Aussie Fan, I would like to wish you and your Family a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New year and God Bless, Cheers Mate.

[@natbarmore]

There's no cellulose in wool.

[@dougcook7507]

Very cool video. I actually knew most of what is covered in the video...for once when listening to your videos. We learnt pretty much all of this in one of my plastic manufacturing classes in college.

[@Ccccccccccsssssssssss]

Wow, a really wonderful episode! Great explanation of polymers!

[@nobodyspecial6881]

Where does Bakelite plastic fit in here. Have a good day.

[@A_Man_In_His_Van]

It doesnt

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Bakelite came after celluloid. It is uses a synthetic polymer.

[@williamtiebout4142]

Well presented, in depth, clearly stated. Thank you

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey Playboy, I'm sending you and History Gal a couple of things. It may make it around Christmas. But I'm hoping that you're still going to use them for your New Year's Eve video. So for the different colors that wasn't the ones I wanted. Thank you

[@robertburkland9659]

History Guy, yours is one of the best, however I wish you would include more railroad topics. After all railroads have been with the USA from close to the beginning. Fred Harvey, and the Harvey Girls is interesting because it tells about how this system was basically the first fast food industry that also brought women to the wild west. Or another would be the Milwaukee Road's Pacific Extension, the very last transcontinental railroad built using modern techniques and the only one to be abandoned because it was built too late. It was also an electric railroad that tells the tell why electric transcontinental is impossible. Or the collapse of Penn Central the largest bankruptcy in the US before Enron. Just some ideas into the interesting train world. Keep the stories coming! ! !