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...
Amateur astronomer. One of the Commissioners for the Great Exhibition, 1951.Born York.
Physician, benefactor of the British Museum and an early benefactor to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Responsible for the addition of milk to chocolate to produce a palatable drink. Born Killyleagh, Ir...
Person, Benefactor, Medicine, Museums / Libraries, Race Issues, Science, Ireland
Husband to Marie Stopes, botanist and geneticist. Born Nova Scotia, Canada. His marriage to Marie Stopes was a very public failure. Co-authored a book entitled "The Inheritance of Hairy Ear Ri...
Philosopher, mathematician, and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Netherlands.
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