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John Wesley Hyatt - Plastic The guy was trying to make ivory-free pool balls and discovered something that changed the future.

• deltaonefour 5y ago
  >The guy was trying to make ivory-free pool balls and discovered something that changed the future. For the better or for worse?
  • bduerst 5y ago
    Given we can make certain plastics from renewable resources, recycle them, or even compost them, I'd lean better, but I also think we're on a trajectory to people preferring 'micro-plastic free' diets.
  • contingencies 5y ago
    A story about the value of synthetic polymers. When I visited the North Korean border circa 2004 the reverence with which the North Koreans treated plastic opened my eyes to its utility. Because they have no plumbing, the North Koreans at the border are considered "wealthy" because they can obtain discarded plastic containers that float across the river from China and allow them to easily haul water. The alternative is pottery, which is highly inefficient. It goes without saying that they had no metal. Another great thing: plastic lenses. Much lighter and cheaper than glass. Good enough for many uses. An Australian invention, like wifi. We are moving away from single-use plastics: someone needs sanction the consumer packaged goods industry.