Bakelite

American  

[bey-kuh-lahyt, beyk-lahyt] / ˈbeɪ kəˌlaɪt, ˈbeɪk laɪt /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for any of a series of thermosetting plastics prepared by heating phenol or cresol with formaldehyde and ammonia under pressure: used for radio cabinets, telephone receivers, electric insulators, and molded plastic ware.

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Bakelite British  

/ ˈbeɪkəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. any one of a class of thermosetting resins used as electric insulators and for making plastic ware, telephone receivers, etc

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Etymology

Origin of Bakelite

C20: named after L. H. Baekeland (1863–1944), Belgian-born US inventor; see _-ite ¹

Example Sentences

Enck's book traces the history of plastic: from its earliest incarnation in 1909, when Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, through the "myth" of plastic recycling promoted by industry from the mid-20th century onward.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

During her recent lecture on Bakelite, Bauer brought the candlestick telephone from her apartment and discussed the history of the plastic material.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

However, Callum told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme - via his 1940s Bakelite rotary-dial telephone - that there is one thing from the post-war period he definitely does not do.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2023

Commercial production of Bakelite, the inaugural synthetic plastic, began in both Germany and the United States in 1910.

From Washington Post • Jan. 14, 2022

She could imagine herself hurrying down now to her bedroom, to a clean block of lined paper and her marbled, Bakelite fountain pen.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan