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...
Represents mechanical engineers and the engineering profession. It has over 120,000 members in 140 countries, working across industries such as railway, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, energy...
Swedish botanist. Came to London in June 1760 to promote Carl Linnaeus’ taxonomy and used it to catalogue the natural history collections at the British Museum. Travelled with Joseph Banks on Capta...
Physician, botanist, herbalist, astrologer and writer. Probably born at Ockley, Surrey. In about 1635 left Cambridge and came to London. This was prompted by the death of his intended. On her way t...
Inventor and founder of the British rubber industry.  Born Wiltshire.  After schooling he moved to London and is recorded in1815 as a coach builder in Pulteney Street with a shop in St James's Stre...
Astronomer. born Haggerston, London. Correctly predicted the return of a comet in 1758 but died before the date. Invented the diving bell. Died Greenwich.
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