Bakelite is one of the world\'s first fully synthetic plastics, invented by Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907. Renowned for its durability, heat resistance and insulating properties, Bakelite was widely used during the early twentieth century for telephones, radios, jewellery, lighting components and household accessories. Antique Bakelite is highly collectable today, particularly Art Deco examples, and is admired for its distinctive colours, polished finish and historical importance in industrial design.