Celluloid was the first synthetic plastic material, patented under that name in 1873 by the Hyatt Mfg. Co. It was billed as a practical and affordable substitute for natural occurring materials like ivory and tortoiseshell and was used for movie film,
combs, dolls, piano keys and eyeglass frames. The Victorian era saw celluloid photo albums, vanity boxes and photo buttons become wildly popular. Its flammability and tendency to deteriorate caused the compound to fall from favor in the 1930’s which makes the surviving pieces of celluloid even more collectible.
