What could possible be considered one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century happened in 1907 while Leo Baekeland was trying to find a better insulator for electrical energy the Shellac which was becoming more expensive and the demand grew and the supply shrunk. The result came after years of hard work with the invention of “Balelite.” With use of another of his inventions the “bakelizer” a heavy iron vessel that was part pressure cooker and part basement boiler, this allowed him to control heat and pressure precisely so as to control the reaction of the chemicals. Once hardened the resin would keep the shape of the mold, as well the material would not burn, boil. Melt or dissolve in any common acid or solvent.
