Plexiglas

Polymethylmethacrylate, known by its brand name, Plexiglas, is one of the defining inventions of the 20th century – a material with so many multi-faceted uses that it would be hard to imagine life without it. On the market since 1933, Plexiglas became indispensable in the construction of cars and airplanes, and went on to be used in architecture and design. But it was during the 1950s, that Plexiglas came into its own as manufacturers and artists used it to create everything from jukeboxes to illuminated advertising, dishes, eccentric handbags and futuristic furniture. Today, Plexiglas' design possibilities are even more wide-ranging than ever and the material remains very popular with contemporary designers.