Our modern life cannot be described without plastics. Everything from household appliances, everyday items and medical devices are made of this man-made material. In fact, plastics have been changing people's lives at an astonishing rate since their introduction at the beginning of the 20th century. But let's stop and think here. Plastic has its origins much further back in nature. Its roots can be traced back to lacquer, which has been used as a ‘natural resin’ since ancient times.
History of lacquer and its properties.
Lacquer is a resin obtained from the lacquer tree (Urticaceae). This resin hardens when exposed to oxygen in the air, forming a robust and beautifully glossy coating. The use of lacquer actually dates back more than 9 000 years and was already used by ancient civilisations, including China. In Japan, the technique of lacquering has been widespread since the Jomon period and was used for delicate decorations and tableware. Its lustre and durability are still highly valued in the world of traditional crafts.
In case you are wondering how to collect the sap
(1) Shallow scratches are made on the trunk of the lacquer tree using a special tool (a small sharp blade called a ‘sickle’ or ‘sword’). These scratches, called ‘scratches’, are made by carefully cutting through the bark to allow the sap to ooze out. The position and depth of the wound is carefully adjusted to protect the health of the tree.
(2) The sap oozing from the wound is carefully collected using a small spatula or container. This sap must be collected quickly as it is very viscous and begins to harden when exposed to air. The sap is immediately transferred to a container for storage.
This lacquer technique went beyond mere decoration and was the very wisdom of mankind in using natural resources to control the physical properties of materials. This technique of taking lacquer, applying layers of it and allowing it to dry over time can be seen as a way of thinking that is similar to modern ‘plastic formation’. It is no exaggeration to say that this process, which uses the process of hardening to transform a soft resin into a robust substance, is one of the origins of modern injection moulding and resin processing technology.
From lacquer to artificial resin
From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, chemists conducted research in search of new materials. The result was Bakelite, the first man-made resin, developed by the Belgian-born chemist Leo Bakeland in 1907, which was widely used in electrical equipment components due to its excellent heat resistance and insulation properties. The invention of Bakelite can truly be regarded as the dawn of the modern plastics industry.
It is interesting to note that early plastics such as Bakelite, like lacquer, were based on the principle of ‘resin hardening’. While the curing of lacquer depended on chemical reactions with oxygen, Bakelite utilised chemical reactions between phenol and formaldehyde. These scientific advances built on the knowledge of natural resins, and it is clear that lacquer influenced the development of plastics.
Modern plastics and lacquer as a traditional craft.
Today, plastics come in myriad forms and are divided into categories such as thermoplastics and thermosets. These diverse plastic materials are designed to have specific properties depending on their application. For example, impact-resistant polycarbonate is used for car parts, while flexible, transparent polyethylene is used for food packaging.
Meanwhile, lacquer is also attracting renewed attention for its nature-derived properties. As ecological considerations lead to a return to natural materials, the biodegradability and antibacterial properties of lacquer are once again in the limelight. Lacquer lacquering techniques are also linked to contemporary sustainability trends and are creating new values beyond the boundaries of ‘tradition and innovation’.
at the end
From the ancient resin known as ‘lacquer’ to modern plastics such as Bakelite, this story is the history of mankind's discovery of materials, control over them and the search for new possibilities. The natural power and beauty of lacquer and the versatility and convenience offered by modern plastics are used for common purposes in different eras. That is to enrich our lives and encourage evolution. The history of lacquer and plastic may also quietly live on in the future of what materials we will have in our hands next.
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