Parkesine is the trade-name for the first man-made plastic. It was invented by Alexander Parkes in 1862. In 1866 Parkes formed the Parkesine Company to mass produce the material. The company, however, failed due to high production costs. Parkesine's succesor was xylonite , invented by Daniel Spill in (an associate of Parkes). Parkesine was made from cellulose treated with nitric acid and a solvent. The generic name of Parkesine is pyroxlin. Parkesine is often synthetic ivory.

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• History of the materials