Bakelite is a heat-resistant, thermosetting, chemically stable resin (polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, the first
plastic), invented about 1907-1909 by Dr.
Leo Baekeland, an American chemist of Belgian origin. It is formed by combining
phenol and
formaldehyde under heat and pressure. Radios, telephones and electrical insulators were made of Bakelite in the past due to its insulating and heat-resistant properties.