Sample of Clear Polystyrene

AssociatedAssociated with Aberdeen Comb Works (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1825 - 1997)

AssociatedAssociated with S R Stewart & Co (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1825 - 1997)

Date1960s

Object NameSample

MediumPlastic: polystyrene

ClassificationsScience And Technology

Dimensions5.6 x 3.1 x 8.4cm

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS069354

Keywords

Plastic

About MeSamples of the raw material used in manufacture in the 1960s at Aberdeen Comb Works. Industrial comb production, using horn, was a big industry in 19th century Aberdeen. It employed thousands and imported many tons of horn. In additions to combs the company also made spoons, snuff boxes and tumblers, all made from horn. Changes in fashion and the introduction of new materials forced the company to turn to man-made plastics. The first man-made plastic used by the business was a casein based product which had the trade name Keronyx. This was later superseded with celluose acetate products. Combs were manufactured under the name of Nuroid. These were injection moulded rather than cut by machine or hand.