Catalin - "the gem of plastics"

When Bakelite's 1910 patent expired in 1927, the Catalin Corporation began producing a similar material under the name — what else? — "Catalin." A new colouring method allowed them to add fifteen colours to the available range. They were famous for their Catalin radios; during the Depression, people would often give up their furniture before giving up their radios, which were an important part of daily life. Catalin replaced the wood and steel casings of radios, making them much more affordable — only about a tenth of the original cost.

70% of the "bakelite" in existence today is actually Catalin.

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