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'''Galalith''' ('''Erinoid''' in the United Kingdom), derived from the Greek words ''gala'' (milk) and ''lithos'' (stone), is a trade name for one of the earliest [[plastics]].
'''Galalith''' ('''Erinoid''' in the United Kingdom), derived from the Greek words ''gala'' (milk) and ''lithos'' (stone), is a trade name for one of the earliest [[plastics]].


==Discovery==
In 1897, the [[Hanover]] factory owner Wilhelm Krische was commissioned to develop white school boards that could be wiped off but that would not burn, as German teachers no longer wanted to write on [[Chalkboard|blackboards]] using white chalk.<ref name=ganoksin>{{citeweb|url=http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/milk-stone.htm|title=Jewelry Stone Make of Milk|author=Christel Trimborn|publisher=GZ Art+Design|date=2004-08|accessdate=2010-05-17}}</ref> The resultant horn-like plastic made from the milk protein [[casein]], was developed in cooperation with the chemist (Friedrich) Adolph Spitteler (1846 - 1940). Although the final result was unsuitable for the original purpose, at the beginning of the 20th century, [[France|French]] chemist J.C. Trillat, discovered the means to insolubilize casein by immersion in [[formaldehyde]].<ref name=ganoksin/>
In 1897, the [[Hanover]] factory owner Wilhelm Krische was commissioned to develop white school boards that could be wiped off but that would not burn, as German teachers no longer wanted to write on [[Chalkboard|blackboards]] using white chalk.<ref name=ganoksin>{{citeweb|url=http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/milk-stone.htm|title=Jewelry Stone Make of Milk|author=Christel Trimborn|publisher=GZ Art+Design|date=2004-08|accessdate=2010-05-17}}</ref> The resultant horn-like plastic made from the milk protein [[casein]], was developed in cooperation with the chemist (Friedrich) Adolph Spitteler (1846 - 1940). Although the final result was unsuitable for the original purpose, at the beginning of the 20th century, [[France|French]] chemist J.C. Trillat, discovered the means to insolubilize casein by immersion in [[formaldehyde]].<ref name=ganoksin/>


==Production and usage==
Although it could not be moulded, and was hence produced in sheets, it was inexpensive to produce. Milk stone could be cut, drilled, embossed and dyed without difficulty, thus producing [[gemstone]] imitations that looked strikingly real. No other plastic at the time could compete on price, and with ivory, horn and bone products becoming far more expensive, it found a natural home in the fashion industry.<ref name=ganoksin/>
Although it could not be moulded, and was hence produced in sheets, it was inexpensive to produce. Milk stone could be cut, drilled, embossed and dyed without difficulty, thus producing [[gemstone]] imitations that looked strikingly real. No other plastic at the time could compete on price, and with ivory, horn and bone products becoming far more expensive, it found a natural home in the fashion industry.<ref name=ganoksin/>


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In 1926 [[Gabrielle Chanel|Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel]] published a picture of a short, simple black dress in ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]''. It was calf-length, straight, and decorated only by a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it ''"Chanel’s [[Ford]],”'' as like the [[Model T]], the [[little black dress]] was simple and accessible for women of all social classes. To accessorize the LBD, Channel revamped her designs, thus facilitating the breakthrough and mass popularity of [[costume jewelry]].<ref name=ganoksin/> By the 1930s, Galaith was also used for pens, umbrella handles, white piano keys (replacing natural ivory), with world production at that time reached 10,000 tons.
In 1926 [[Gabrielle Chanel|Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel]] published a picture of a short, simple black dress in ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]''. It was calf-length, straight, and decorated only by a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it ''"Chanel’s [[Ford]],”'' as like the [[Model T]], the [[little black dress]] was simple and accessible for women of all social classes. To accessorize the LBD, Channel revamped her designs, thus facilitating the breakthrough and mass popularity of [[costume jewelry]].<ref name=ganoksin/> By the 1930s, Galaith was also used for pens, umbrella handles, white piano keys (replacing natural ivory), with world production at that time reached 10,000 tons.

==Today==
Although Galaith was historically cheap, the fact it could not be moulded led to its ultimate niche only use by commercial end users. However, although formaldehyde is now recognised for it [[carciogenic]] properties, Galaith made from milk and [[vinegar]] can easily be produced by [[home craft]]ers.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 16:21, 16 May 2010

White galalith RAAF pre-1953 buttons. (Top left button shows crazing resulting from button having been heated during washing.)

Galalith (Erinoid in the United Kingdom), derived from the Greek words gala (milk) and lithos (stone), is a trade name for one of the earliest plastics.

Discovery

In 1897, the Hanover factory owner Wilhelm Krische was commissioned to develop white school boards that could be wiped off but that would not burn, as German teachers no longer wanted to write on blackboards using white chalk.[1] The resultant horn-like plastic made from the milk protein casein, was developed in cooperation with the chemist (Friedrich) Adolph Spitteler (1846 - 1940). Although the final result was unsuitable for the original purpose, at the beginning of the 20th century, French chemist J.C. Trillat, discovered the means to insolubilize casein by immersion in formaldehyde.[1]

Production and usage

Although it could not be moulded, and was hence produced in sheets, it was inexpensive to produce. Milk stone could be cut, drilled, embossed and dyed without difficulty, thus producing gemstone imitations that looked strikingly real. No other plastic at the time could compete on price, and with ivory, horn and bone products becoming far more expensive, it found a natural home in the fashion industry.[1]

The material revolutionized the button industry,[2] with its capacity to create structural effects and imitate all sorts of material: horn, tortoiseshell, ivory, wood, etc.

Marketed in the form of boards, pipes and rods, in 1913 30,000,000 long tons ([convert: unknown unit]) of milk were used to produce Galalith in Germany alone.[1] In 1914, Syrolit Ltd gained the license for manufacture in the United Kingdom. Renaming itself Erinoid Ltd,' it started manufacture in the Lightpill former woollen mill in Dudbridge, Stroud, Gloucestershire.[3]

In 1926 Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel published a picture of a short, simple black dress in Vogue. It was calf-length, straight, and decorated only by a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it "Chanel’s Ford,” as like the Model T, the little black dress was simple and accessible for women of all social classes. To accessorize the LBD, Channel revamped her designs, thus facilitating the breakthrough and mass popularity of costume jewelry.[1] By the 1930s, Galaith was also used for pens, umbrella handles, white piano keys (replacing natural ivory), with world production at that time reached 10,000 tons.

Today

Although Galaith was historically cheap, the fact it could not be moulded led to its ultimate niche only use by commercial end users. However, although formaldehyde is now recognised for it carciogenic properties, Galaith made from milk and vinegar can easily be produced by home crafters.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Christel Trimborn (2004-08). "Jewelry Stone Make of Milk". GZ Art+Design. Retrieved 2010-05-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Button Country (2010). "Synthetic Polymers (Section 12)". Georgia, USA: Peach State Button Club. Retrieved 6 March 2010. (To view reverse of button, hover mouse over image.)
  3. ^ "A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 11: Bisley and Longtree Hundreds (1976)". british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 2010-05-14.

External links