First Special Service Force
6th CO, 3rd REG
Living History Group Member: HRS

Many WWII era items are made of a popular plastic known as Bakelite. Bakelite was one of the few plastics manufactured before the war, but not the only plastic that was in existence. Jewelry was also made out of Cellioud and Lucite, for example, so don't ever discount all other plastics as being post war, but bakelite is one of the most popular pre war plastics, and is highly sought after and collectible. Many more plastics were invented during the mid 1940's (remember that the war itself caused huge advances in science), so the late 40's saw bakelite fade into the background, as companies introduced a new era of plastics including acrylic, fiberglass, plexiglas, and vinyl.

What is Bakelite?

Bakelite is the common term for phenolic resin, a primitive type of plastic that is cast or molded, and available in a wide range of colors. Bakelite was also carved on a spinning wheel with razor sharp tools to create original designs. Bakelite was used to make jewelry, radio knobs, portable radios, handles, and other household items during the 1920's - 1940's.

The History of Bakelite

Bakelite was invented in 1910. Bakelite is best known for it's patina and marbleized look that was created by mixing two dies together in the resin while it was still hot.

Contrary to popular belief, bakelite was not initially a jewelry for the masses. During the early 1930's, bakelite products were sold mostly by Saks Fifth Avenue, B. Altman and Bonwit Teller, but also available at the lower end department stores Woolworth and Sears. The depression left many rich socialites without a budget for gold, silver, and diamonds by the likes of Tiffany and Cartier. Instead, they turned to bakelite bangles - the vibrantly colorful jewelry adorned with rhinestones became de riguer for all social occasions. But the manufactures of Bakelite made sure to create lines affordable for everyone, with 1930's prices for bakelite jewelry ranging from just twenty cents to three dollars. Diana Vreeland, editor of Vogue and Elsa Schiaparelli both sang the praises of the versatility of bakelite, which, at it's height, boasted 200+ colors.

Bakelite was used primarily for knobs, field phone and handy talkie parts, as well as uniform badges, and thousands of other military products where metal could be "saved" for more important uses. Most utility bakelite products produced during WWII are basic black, OD green or khaki. Home front jewelry did come in patriotic colors red, white and blue.

Identifying Bakelite

The 409 Method - Dip a cotton swab in 409 household cleaner and wipe a SMALL unexposed area (a back, or area that won't be seen) with the swab. If there's a yellow stain on the swab, the piece is authentic vintage bakelite. The yellow "stain" is actually the patina that has accumulated on the bakelite. Rinse the area right away so that the cleaner doesn't eat away any more bakelite patina.

Warming Method - Some people think that warm bakelite smells like camphor. Since I don't know what camphor smells like, I don't recommend this method. However, stick the object in a warm (not TOO hot) bowl of water, then sniff. Do NOT stick the bakelite in the oven / microwave / stove, since the melting point of the plastic could be fairly low and you may permanently damage the object.