by: Glenn Beall
The plastics industry came of age during the Second World War. Copper, aluminum, steel, and zinc all became precious metals allocated for military use. Desperate fabricators, who had never thought of plastic as a manufacturing material, began to reconsider. Cellulosics, acrylic, nylon, and especially phenolic and polyethylene became valuable materials. Production was increased. Material manufacturers, machine builders, moldmakers, and processors all prospered. That was a terrible war that changed the whole world, but it was the coming of age of the plastics industry.
In this recurring column, Glenn Beall of Glenn Beall Plastics Ltd. (Libertyville, IL) shares his special perspective on issues important to design engineers and the molding industry. Y
The origins of SPI and NPE In 1937 a group of plastics processors and material suppliers held the first meeting of The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). Those farsighted pioneers believed plastics would become an important industry. The original objectives were to create a trade association that would provide leadership for the advancement of the industry and promote cooperation among the members.
In 1939 Germany invaded Poland, initiating WWII. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. A few days later the U.S. declared war on Japan and Germany. By that time SPI was well enough constituted to act as the focal point for the ensuing materials allocation and the buildup required to support the war effort.
Five days before Japan’s surprise attack, another group of farsighted pioneers met in Detroit, MI. These were salesmen who shared a spirit of friendly rivalry and companionship due to their mutual frustration in trying to sell the then-new and unproven plastics to skeptical automotive engineers. They enjoyed meeting and sharing technical information on plastic materials and processes. Out of these meetings grew the concept of a technical society with the purpose of distributing technical information that would allow the promotion of the plastics industry.
In February 1942, they incorporated the Society of Plastics Sales Engineers. Later that year the name was changed to the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) to encompass a more diverse membership. During the war years, SPE promoted the development of standards and the distribution of technical information while helping to educate those who were manufacturing components for the military.
https://www.plasticstoday.com/content/design-world-war-ii-plastics-and-npe/27257907612254
