Radio and TV

In 1919 the first ever radiobroadcasting took place in Holland. Other countries soon followed. The emergence of other public radiostations caused an enormous increase in demand for radios.

Jewellery and personal care

During the “Jazz-age”, in the twenties and thirties of the last century, bakelite and other plastics became very popular as materials for jewellery. Plastics were easily mass produced and also a lot cheaper than gold and silver.

Kornelis Caps & Closures

Kornelis produces around 400 million caps and closures each year. Especially the peanutbutter industry is a large customer. ©Wilbert Bijzitter

Communication

For the longest time telephones were made out of bakelite. Initially only in black, but switching to ureum-formaldehyde allowed manufactures to also make white products.

Household

In the twenties and thirties, it became more common for a standard household to have access to electricity and the demand for consumer goods rose. Bakelite was a suitable material to increase production to larger scales.

Office

After the war, office supplies were usually made out of bakelite. Inksets pens and penboxes all had nice designs and quality finishes.