Science, Invention and Nature are all responsible for producing materials.

This SINergy explores the worlds of man-made and natural materials, both of which play important roles in our lives.

Plastics at the Science Museum

Plastics are widely perceived as cheap and nasty materials. But since their invention in the early years of the twentieth century, plastics have had a huge impact on art, culture, home decorating, domestic appliances and fashion. The first truly synthetic plastic, bakelite, was used to make radios and telephones – items which are highly desirable collectables today. Later, in the 1960s, plastics made an important contribution to the emerging pop culture when they were used to make high fashion garments, ‘space age’ film sets and inflatable furniture.

Ideal homes at the Science Museum

The invention of new materials in the twentieth century contributed to the enormous changes that took place in domestic lifestyles. Style innovations and technical advances were often showcased at the extremely popular Ideal Home exhibition in London. The 1956 Exhibition presented the ‘House of the Future’ which utilised many of the new materials that had become available since the war. Furniture, fittings and wall finishes were predominantly moulded plastics, fibreglass and chromed or stainless steel. Aluminium, tubular steel, hardboard, fibreboard, chipboard, plywood and plastic laminates had all recently come onto the market and gave rise to new ideas for decorating the home. During this time the DIY movement was also gaining momentum. As well as new plastics, glues and adhesives, revolutionary DIY wonder products including polyfilla, non-drip paints and plastic rawlplugs were invented.

Common mussels at The Natural History Museum

The humble common mussel produces one of the most remarkable materials in the world, a ‘natural superglue’. The young mussel secretes the glue from glands in its foot. In less than five minutes the glue hardens into a filament known as a byssal thread. Several hundred threads form the byssus with which the mussel attaches itself to an intertidal rock, pier or other structure, where it will remain for its whole life. The binding power of the byssus is so strong that it can resist the massive forces of tides, currents and pounding surf. Scientists have been trying to produce an artificial glue that, like the byssus, binds and hardens in wet conditions for many years. A material with these characteristics would be extremely useful for such diverse groups as dentists, surgeons and naval repairmen. But although progress is being made, as yet no-one has invented anything that can compete with the material produced by the common mussel.

Mpingo trees at ARKive       

The mpingo tree, which grows in various African countries, produces one of the most valuable and sought-after heartwoods (the wood from the centre of the trunk) in the world. The wood’s unique properties make it the best material for the manufacture of woodwind instruments including clarinets and oboes. Its density, fine texture and waxiness allow it to hold metal fittings and it is stable under humid conditions – a necessary characteristic for instruments played by blowing air into them. Its tight grain and oily nature allow it to be polished to a glossy sheen while the instruments it makes produce a beautiful tone. Not only does the mpingo tree have no peers for this purpose, no suitable natural replacement is known. It is feared that the continued uncontrolled exploitation of the mpingo tree will cause it to become commercially extinct within a few decades. However, it is hoped that the adoption of sustainable measures will allow this ancient, musical tree to survive.

Shagreen rays at The Natural History Museum

The untanned skin of the shagreen ray, as well as that of other small sharks, was historically used as a material called shagreen. Often mistaken for leather, shagreen, which is an exotic sea-green colour, is produced by filing, stretching and drying the ray’s rough, scaly skin. It is both attractive and functional and was used for centuries to embellish precious items. Its textured surface provided a good grip for sword and dagger handles while its mysterious sleekness lent a subtle beauty to furniture, eyeglass cases and toiletry sets, and its durability made it the perfect covering for the shafts of telescopes, protractors and microscopes. These days there are relatively few skilled artisans able to produce and work with shagreen but the skins are still prepared by a handful of companies, usually for knife makers. The material’s popularity has waxed and waned over time but appreciation of it, along with its value, has increased during the past decade.

African elephants at ARKive

One animal that has suffered greatly on account of a material it produces is the African elephant. Elephants have two special teeth, the upper incisors, which grow as large tusks and these have been widely traded as ivory. Tusks are made of dentine and are fundamentally no different to ordinary teeth. However, when viewed in cross-section, the diamond shaped pattern of the material is revealed. It is this which gives ivory its distinctively beautiful lustre. Historically, ivory was used to make jewellery, sculptures, piano keys and tools. Its great economic value encouraged widespread slaughter and poaching of elephants, seriously endangering the species. Today elephants, and their valuable tusks, are protected by law. The trade in ivory has been banned and the future of these magnificent animals is more secure.

Hawksbill turtles at ARKive     

Since the time of ancient Egypt to the present day, the hawksbill turtle has been over exploited for its shell or carapace, as natural tortoiseshell, is a material highly valued for its beauty and plasticity by man. The species is now highly endangered as a result. The tortoiseshell comes from the scales (or scutes) – the outer layer of the shell. The material is worked and polished to reveal its ornate amber, yellow or brown patterns. Also known as bekko, the tortoiseshell, which is used to make jewellery and ornaments, is especially popular in Japan and eastern Asia.

Russian desman at ARKive

The Russian desman is a small, mole-like creature. Its thick, waterproof coat is adapted to its aquatic lifestyle and has historically been much sought after by humans for use in the fur industry. The coat is made up of a dense, short bottom layer and a longer, stiffer outer layer. Musk glands at the base of the tail emit an oil that helps make the fur waterproof. This was also collected for use in perfumes. The Russian desman was relatively abundant until the late nineteenth century when demand for their fur increased dramatically. At the peak of the fur trade up to 20,000 skins were being processed annually, resulting in a drastic reduction in desman numbers. Fortunately, today the Russian desman is fully protected. Populations have been restored in some wetland areas and the fur trade no longer threatens its survival.