John Wesley Hyatt

John Wesley Hyatt was an American inventor best known for creating a process to produce durable, moldable celluloid, a type of early plastic. In 1870, he developed a method to make billiard balls from this material, which was a safer and more affordable alternative to traditional ivory. Hyatt’s invention revolutionized the manufacturing of many products by providing a versatile and affordable plastic. His work laid the foundation for the modern plastics industry, impacting countless everyday products.