Polystyrene
Poliestireno industrial
- Date
- 1930–1931 · confidence high
- Place
- Ludwigshafen, Germany
- Credited to
- IG Farben/BASF (production, 1931); Hermann Staudinger (macromolecular theory, Freiburg); Eduard Simon (1839)
- People
- 👤 Eduard Simon1864–1929👤 Hermann Staudinger1881–1965
- Field
- Matter & energy
What it is
Rigid, transparent thermoplastic mass-produced by BASF from styrene. Base material for packaging, toys and, in expanded form (1949), insulation and packing.
What it led to
- Disposable objects and throwaway culture
- Expanded polystyrene (Styropor)
- Macromolecular chemistry as a discipline
Built on
- Bakelite1907
- Staudinger's macromolecular theory
Made possible
- Expanded polystyrene
- Disposable container