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5939277 
Journal Article 
Polymer analysis by gel permeation chromatography - A historical perspective 
Saunders, G 
2004 
0 
LCGC Europe
ISSN: 1471-6577 
17 
12 
650-+ 
English 
WOS:000225917700005 
The development of polymer has had a profound effect on the modern world. These versatile materials are used in an extensive array of products ranging from drinks bottles and compact discs to shampoo additives and prosthetic hip joints. The first truly synthetic polymer was Bakelite, developed by Beakeland in 1907 from carbolic acid and formaldehyde. In the 1950s, advances in polymer science led to the development of a wide range of what are now bulk synthetic polymers such as polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride), still very widely used today. Engineering polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene and polyurethane followed in the 1950-60s, and have become very high tonnage commodities. Recent developments have been in the area of speciality high technology materials that display high thermal and chemical stabilities, such as polyaryletherketones, polyimides and polytetrafluoroethylene. Literally thousands of different classes of polymer have been developed using a range of different chemistries, making plastics the most versatile of materials.