Born Birmingham. Initially worked on improved methods of electroplating. 1856 patented Parkesine, a celluloid recognised as the first man-made plastic (chewing gum, shellac and natural rubber are all classified as plastics).
1866 he set up The Parkesine Company at Hackney Wick intending to manufacture Parkesine cheaply in bulk but this was not successful and closed in 1868. Died London.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Alexander Parkes
First plastic in the world, known as 'parkesine', invented by Alexander Parke...
A chemist. His work on the souring of milk and the use of heat to preserve it was the foundation of the science of bacteriology. Born Dole, France. Died near Paris.
Inventor of the marine chronometer. Born Yorkshire. Died London. Buried at St John's Church, Hampstead, strangely, since he died in Red Lion Square and had no connections with Hampstead. The pictu...
Politician and writer. Born Milston, Wiltshire.
Born Manchester. Electrical engineer. Invented and patented the three-wire distribution system (if you've ever wired in a plug you will know what this means). Died, with three of his children, in...
Chemist. One of chief pioneers of physical organic chemistry. Born 142 Windsor Road, Forest Gate. Brought up on the Isle of Wight. Working in the Chemistry department, University College London, du...
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