Leo Baekeland

14 November 1863 – 23 February 1944

Leo Hendrik Baekeland was a Belgian-American chemist and inventor best known for inventing Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907. He also invented Velox photographic paper, and his innovations helped launch the modern plastics industry.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Leo Baekeland.

Life events

Born in Ghent, Belgium
14 November 1863

Leo Hendrik Baekeland was born to a working-class family in Ghent.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Received doctorate from the University of Ghent
1884

He earned his doctor of science degree with high honors at a young age.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Emigrated to the United States
1889

He moved to New York to pursue work in applied chemistry.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Invented Velox photographic paper
1893

He developed Velox, a photographic printing paper that could be developed under artificial light, and later sold the company to Eastman Kodak.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Sold Velox business to Eastman Kodak
1899

He sold his Nepera Chemical Company and the Velox process to George Eastman for a substantial sum.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Invented Bakelite
1907

He created Bakelite, the first fully synthetic thermosetting plastic, marking the birth of the modern plastics industry.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Founded the General Bakelite Company
1910

He established the company to manufacture and market his new synthetic plastic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Died in Beacon, New York
23 February 1944

He died at the age of 80.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓