plastics

An examination of the origin, history, development, and societal impact of the development of plastics.

Explains how plastics are made, notes the different kinds of plastics, and looks at how they are used to make many things from pipes to clothing.

Text and photographs discuss the uses of plastic and how it can be recycled.

Discusses oil as a source for plastics, the importance of recycling, and possible uses for plastics in the future.

Describes how inventors think and work, explains how one invention--plastic--has changed the world, and briefly discusses seventy-five other important inventions, from the jet engine to the potato chip.