Leo Baekeland

Date of Birth: November 14, 1863

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: February 23, 1944

Biography

Leo Hendrik Baekeland was a Belgian-American chemist born on November 14, 1863, who is best known for his invention of Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic. Baekeland was born in Ghent, Belgium, and showed an early interest in science and chemistry. He earned a PhD maxima cum laude from Ghent University at the age of 21. After an early career success with the invention of Velox photographic paper, which he sold to George Eastman of the Eastman Kodak Company, Baekeland turned his attention to synthetic materials. In 1907, he invented Bakelite, a durable, non-conductive, and heat-resistant plastic, which he patented in 1909. This invention marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry and had a profound impact on manufacturing, technology, and consumer goods. Baekeland’s contributions to chemistry and industry earned him numerous accolades, including the Perkin Medal in 1916 and the Franklin Medal in 1940. He continued to work and innovate until his retirement, leaving a lasting legacy in both the scientific community and the world at large. Baekeland passed away on February 23, 1944, in Beacon, New York.

5 Interesting Facts about Leo Baekeland

1. Leo Baekeland invented Velox photographic paper, which could be developed under artificial light.

2. Bakelite, his most famous invention, was used in everything from electrical insulators to jewelry.

3. He emigrated to the United States in 1889, partly to escape the political climate in Europe.

4. Baekeland was a member of several prestigious scientific societies, including the American Chemical Society.

5. His invention of Bakelite was considered one of the most significant achievements in the field of materials science.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leo Baekeland

1. “Committees are incapable of anything except compromise and settling on the least common denominator.”

2. “The chemist who can extract from his heart’s elements compassion, respect, longing, patience, regret, surprise, and forgiveness and compound them into one can create that atom which is called love.”

3. “I found that the more I worked, the more luck I seemed to have.”

4. “Science is the key to our future, and if you don’t believe in science, then you’re holding everybody back.”

5. “Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy.”