Man has lived in the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and now we are in the Plastic Age. When plastic was a new material, it was cheap both in quality and in cost. Anything made of plastic was usually an inferior copy of a stronger, higher-quality item. Older adults can recall the poor-quality toys, handbags, shower curtains, shoes, etc., that were made in large numbers after World War II.
Today, however, the value of plastic has changed completely, because scientists have learned better ways to make a wide variety of quality plastics. It is currently possible to manufacture plastic so strong and so versatile that it can replace steel, aluminum, glass, and even paper. American automobile manufacturers are planning to make cars with plastic bumpers and fenders in the near future. Japanese auto makers are working on plastic car windows. These have the advantage of not only being lighter but also reflecting heat better than glass. Ultimately, any metal car parts will no doubt be replaced by plastic. With the use of plastic, rust problems will be eliminated, and repairs should be less expensive.
Today, however, the value of plastic has changed completely, because scientists have learned better ways to make a wide variety of quality plastics. It is currently possible to manufacture plastic so strong and so versatile that it can replace steel, aluminum, glass, and even paper. American automobile manufacturers are planning to make cars with plastic bumpers and fenders in the near future. Japanese auto makers are working on plastic car windows. These have the advantage of not only being lighter but also reflecting heat better than glass. Ultimately, any metal car parts will no doubt be replaced by plastic. With the use of plastic, rust problems will be eliminated, and repairs should be less expensive.
Food companies are also working with plastic for packaging their products. Many are putting precooked food into plastic bags that can be heated in either microwave or conventional ovens. One company now uses a squeezable plastic bottle for ketchup, making it easy to use up all the ketchup. In the conventional glass bottle, it was nearly impossible to get out all the ketchup. The plastic container is a little more expensive than the glass bottle, but shipping costs are lower because plastic weighs less. Another important point about plastic is that it does not break.
(to be continued...)
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