Phenolic resin is a synthetic thermosetting plastic produced by the reaction of phenol with formaldehyde. Once moulded under heat and pressure it sets permanently hard and cannot be re-melted, giving a durable, heat-resistant and electrically insulating material. Bakelite, developed by Leo Baekeland in the early twentieth century, was the first commercially successful phenolic resin.
Phenolic resins transformed the design of everyday objects between the 1920s and 1950s. Moulded with wood flour or other fillers, they produced the typically dark brown, black or mottled finishes seen on radios, telephones, light switches, lamp holders, ashtrays, desk accessories and kitchenware. Cast phenolic resins, sold under names such as Catalin, could be made in brighter, translucent colours and were used for jewellery, cutlery handles, buttons and small boxes. The material is closely associated with Art Deco and streamlined industrial design. Collectors value strong original colour, crisp mouldings and the absence of cracks or chips, as phenolic resin is brittle. Old lighting fittings made of the material should be checked by an electrician, as their insulation and wiring may no longer meet modern standards.
