Injection Molding: an industrial revolution that changed the world of plastics

From cars to appliances, down to the smallest objects like pens or water bottles. But how did we get to the point of producing these items so quickly and precisely?

We owe it to the invention of injection molding, a process that dates back to 1872, when American inventor John Wesley Hyatt and his brother Isaiah patented the first injection molding machine. The original machine was quite different from the advanced ones we use today, but it was a pioneering step in plastic processing.

Hyatt’s idea was simple yet brilliant: heat plastic (at the time, mainly celluloid), inject it into a mold, and let it cool to take the desired shape. Initially, the process was limited to simple objects like combs and buttons, but it paved the way for technological innovation that led to the efficiency and precision of modern machinery.

The 1940s saw the introduction of synthetic plastics and the modern version of injection molding, transforming industrial production and enabling countless applications, from medical devices to automotive parts and electronics.

Today, injection molding is the most widely used method for mass production of plastic components. Without it, our world would look very different!

Many of the materials used in this process can be re-melted  and reused multiple times, significantly reducing waste. This promotes sustainable practices and helps reduce the environmental impact, something that other plastic technologies, like thermosetting plastics, cannot offer.

A special thanks to pioneers like Hyatt, whose vision and determination opened the doors to a whole new era of manufacturing.

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