Dita Von Teese turned me onto this website for just beautiful and affordable panties, bras, bullett bras, and corsette's. Also pretty "Curvy Woman" specialities! Great stockings as well. Check it out.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Plastics Purses AKA Celluloid Purses
Celluloid is the oldest synthetic plastic used in making purses. Discovered in 1856 by English metallurgist Alexander Parkees, it was first called "Parkesine". In the U.S., John Wesley Hyatt developed celluloid as a commercial product in 1869. In 1871 the demand for the product noted for it's strength, luster and colorability combined with it's low cost instigated the formation of the Celluloid Manufacturing Company.
Soon thereafter, celluloid was used to make a wide variety of items including fountain pens, piano keys, tooth brushes, dentures, photographic film, and purses! It was plentiful, easy to work with and could be make in a variety of shapes. In despite of all these attributes, celluloid is highly flammable and was banned off the market by 1934 by federal law. From this ban, a new product was discovered, a plastic known as "bakelite". It's a combination of phenol and formaldehyde and often is compounded with reinforcing fillers such as wood fibers or cotton lints. In it's pure form, it is colorless or light golden resembling celluloid, but it is much harder and heavier.
In 1922 the Company called, The General Bakelite Company flooded the market with bakelite products. As plastics were entering the fashion circles, Harry Senzer worked for Associated Plastics that made parts for handbags. Purse handles, ornaments, and clasps. In the early 1950s the first simple box-shaped purse was produced entirely of Lucite and it was considered quite stylish to own one of these bags.
If you're a vintage fashion girl, you have seen these beautiful purses in a variety of shapes, colors and textures. They continue to be very collectible and are at times, very pricey. If you're lucky enough to own one, use it and show off your unique style.
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