Development of the museum's plastics collection began in the 1930s with the acquisition of specimens of plastic raw materials and finished products. This collection was driven largely by Arthur de Ramon Penfold (1890-1980), a former industrial chemist, who worked as curator and later director of the museum from 1927 until 1955. Concerned with the technical and commercial development of local industries, in particular Australia's plastics industry, Penfold believed that the museum was 'destined to play a conspicuous part in bringing Science to the aid of industry', through both research and display (Penfold 1948).

Seeking to develop 'an exhibit showing the use of plastics for war purposes' (Penfold 17/2/1942) Penfold wrote to Commonwealth Moulding Ltd requesting 'any new specimens of plastics used for defence purposes' (Penfold, 31/3/1942). Penfold was keen to investigate and support developments in the use of plastics in aircraft manufacture, stating that: 'the possibilities of the plane should not be overlooked. Great progress has been made in Canada and the United States of America and...an investigation of its possibilities here should be undertaken' (Sydney Technological Museum 1940). Along with serving as a replacement for critical supplies of metal, Penfold advocated the benefits of plastics being: 'great economies are effected in the rate of production, there is a minimum of waste and practically little or no machining is required for finishing', (Penfold 1941). In addition, plastics reduced aircraft weight, thus saving on fuel and improving aerodynamics.

This indicator lamp with polystyrene cover is one of a number of plastic objects donated by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd throughout 1941-1945, many of which relate to aircraft manufacture and the defence industry. These objects are part of a large and significant collection of plastics and plastic moulding powders acquired by the museum throughout Arthur Penfold's career. This collection gives insight into a period of great social, material, technological and scientific development, and reflects some of the museum's collecting practices and research focuses at this time. Plastics continues to be an area that is explored and represented in the museum's collection, however today reflects some of the more ambivalent attitudes towards plastics and their use, particularly in regards to environmental and sustainability issues.

REF:
Penfold, A. R., News Bulletin of the Sydney Technological Museum, No 6, Sept 1941

Penfold, A. R., personal correspondence, addressed to A. W. Baker, Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, Arncliffe, 17/2/1942, museum archives

Penfold, A. R., personal correspondence, addressed to A. W. Baker, Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, Arncliffe, 31/3/1942, museum archives

Penfold, A. R., paper, 'The Influence of Science Museums on Industry', read at the first Biannual Conference of International Council on Museums, 1948

The 1943 Australasian Manufacturers Directory lists Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd as operating from 242 Princes Highway, Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia. The company is listed as producing such wares as aircraft parts, electrical appliances and parts, jewellery, furniture and interior decorations, household and kitchen appliances, industrial equipment, and optical equipment (Plastics Institute of Australia 1947).

This indicator lamp is fitted with an injection moulded lamp cover made from polystyrene. Penfold wrote that polystyrene was the 'earliest transparent plastic to find commercial application...It is made from benzene and ethylene, both by-products from the carbonisation of coal, although the bulk of the American production to-day is produced from petroleum. The first stage in the production of polystyrene is a colourless liquid called styrene which is polymerised at room temperature in the presence of air into a snow-white powder. Polystyrene is a substance of good light transmission and high refractive index, and by a process known as injection moulding...it produces articles of remarkable brilliance and beauty...
...The method for producing polystyrene...is very interesting. It is called INJECTION MOULDING. By forcing the warm plastic through a die into a cold mould it sets to the required shape and is rapidly ejected...The rate of production of plastic objects by the injection process is amazing'. (Penfold 1956)

REF:
Manufacturer Publishing, Australasian Manufacturers' Directory, A.A. Tighe for the Proprietors, The Manufacturer Pub. Co., 1943, p651

Penfold, A. R., 'Plastics and Synthetic Rubbers', A. H. Pettifer, Government Printer, Sydney, 1956, p15,24

Plastics Institute of Australia, 'Australian Plastics Trade Directory', Sydney, 1947

It is often perceived that plastics are a material of the twentieth century; however, its beginnings go back to eighteenth century Europe and conditions created by rapid industrialisation, scientific curiosity and opportunities to create great wealth through innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. Many of the semi-synthetic plastics of the nineteenth century and the synthetic plastics of the twentieth century were influenced by earlier manufacturing methods of making products out of natural plastics such as horn and tortoiseshell. The development of synthetic plastics, however, allowed for a product that was not subject to availability and fluctuating costs.

The Australian plastics processing industry began around 1917 and grew significantly after World War Two, substituting raw materials such as metal that were in short supply. In addition plastics were able to be produced domestically at a relatively cheap price. In 1939 production of plastics was around one thousand tonnes per year and fifty years later it had grown to around nine hundred thousand tonnes (Chemlink Consultants 2007). New innovations in plastics, a rising population and increasing home ownership and household consumption were further influences on this growth. Today the plastics industry is one of Australia's largest manufacturing sectors.

Throughout the early 1900s the Sydney Technical College and the museum promoted similar aims and objectives regarding their roles in areas such as the promotion use and development of local manufacture, materials, commerce and industry. Between 26 and 28 September 1934, the Technical College and the museum collaborated to develop what was advocated as the first Plastics Industry Exhibition in Australia. The museum contributed the majority of the exhibits, which included colourful moulded objects and synthetic resin powders. The highlight of the exhibition was a standard hydraulic press that produced synthetic resin objects while the audience watched. This was loaned by John Heine and Son and run by staff from the College's Mechanical Engineering department. It utilised dies made by College students and synthetic moulding resin powders from local plastic companies. A Conversazione was held on the evening of 26th September, 1934 'to which prominent citizens, including representatives of the Plastics Industry were invited', and at which both Penfold and Dr N H Lang gave lectures on the plastics industry (Annual Report 1934). Describing the plastics industry as 'one of the greatest achievements of our time', the event aimed to explore and promote 'the wizardry of the Chemist's Art' (Sydney Technical College 1934).

A permanent display of plastics was established at the museum, and in 1945 was described by the Sunday Telegraph as 'the best display of plastics and fibres in the world...show(ing) the complete history of plastics from first experiments to the latest developments' (Sunday Telegraph 1945). This object featured in the museum's permanent plastics display during the 1940s.

In 1942, on receiving permission from the Controller of Materials Supply, Ministry of Munitions, to obtain various manufactured specimens of plastics used for Defence purposes, Penfold wrote to Mr A. W. Baker of Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd requesting: 'any specimens which you think will be of special value to this Museum in the establishment of an exhibit showing the use of plastics for war purposes' (Penfold 1942). This object is part of the collection of plastic mouldings for aircraft parts made and presented by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd in April 1942. Various related objects were donated by the company from 1941 to 1945.

In December 1944 Penfold, along with Mr C H Hunt of Newcastle Technical College, was commissioned by the NSW Government to investigate overseas technological trends in the plastic industry, including the training of technical personnel, throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. On his return Penfold continued to promote the importance of Australia's development of a vigorous research and training program in developing local technical expertise (Penfold 29/11/1945), arguing that: 'The field is so vast and the potentialities of plastics...is so promising, that no effort should be spared to provide adequate training for all persons wishing to acquire a knowledge of these new materials' (Penfold 31/10/1945).

REF:

Chemlink Consultants, Australia's Chemical Industry - History and development, available at http://www.chemlink.com.au/chemhist.htm, accessed 08/08/2007

Penfold, A. R., personal correspondence, addressed to A. W. Baker, Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, Arncliffe, 17/2/1942, museum archives

Penfold, A R, 'Reports on Plastics Investigation, 1945, in the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom', 31/10/1945, p9

Penfold, A. R., paper, 'Recent Developments of Plastics Overseas', delivered before the Plastics Institute of Australia, NSW Section, 29/11/1945

Sydney Technical College Chemical Society, 'Conversazione to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Society', 1934

Sydney Technological Museum, Annual Report, 1934

Sunday Telegraph, 'For plastics he saw great things', 11 November 1945

Aircraft indicator lamp with cover, polystyrene synthetic resin / metal, made by Commonwealth Moulding Pty Ltd, Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia, 1938-1942

Indicator lamp for aircraft fitted with injection moulded lamp cover made from polystyrene synthetic resin; Black cylindrical base with 2 [copper] 'prongs' fitted to bottom; screw-on collar around top which forms coverig for clear plastic light cover.

Made: 1938 - 1942

H4454

1938 - 1942

64 mm

25 mm

25 mm