<P> Parkesine ( nitrocellulose ) is considered the first man - made plastic . The plastic material was patented by Alexander Parkes , in Birmingham , England in 1856 . It was unveiled at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in London . Parkesine won a bronze medal at the 1862 World 's fair in London . Parkesine was made from cellulose ( the major component of plant cell walls ) treated with nitric acid as a solvent . The output of the process ( commonly known as cellulose nitrate or pyroxilin ) could be dissolved in alcohol and hardened into a transparent and elastic material that could be molded when heated . By incorporating pigments into the product , it could be made to resemble ivory . </P>
<P> Parkesine ( nitrocellulose ) is considered the first man - made plastic . The plastic material was patented by Alexander Parkes , in Birmingham , England in 1856 . It was unveiled at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in London . Parkesine won a bronze medal at the 1862 World 's fair in London . Parkesine was made from cellulose ( the major component of plant cell walls ) treated with nitric acid as a solvent . The output of the process ( commonly known as cellulose nitrate or pyroxilin ) could be dissolved in alcohol and hardened into a transparent and elastic material that could be molded when heated . By incorporating pigments into the product , it could be made to resemble ivory . </P>
who made first synthetic plastic in the world
who made first synthetic plastic in the world
Alexander Parkes
Alexander Parkes