Case Western Reserve University - All Things Bakelite

11-3-2017

Team All Things Bakelite: The Age of Plastic wishes to thank Professor Hatsuo “Ken” Ishida, Dept. of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, for his generous hospitality towards John and Hugh in Cleveland. We loved the tour of your labs with Dr. Lu Han on November 2nd.

John E. Maher, Dr. Lu Han, Hugh Karraker in front of the fabulous Macromolecular Science and Engineering Building

John E. Maher, Hugh Karraker, Professor Hatsuo "Ken" Ishida — John E. Maher, Hugh Karraker,
Professor Hatsuo “Ken” Ishida

Professor Ishida demonstrates the Carver molding press for film director, John E. Maher — Professor Ishida demonstrates the Carver molding press
for film director, John E. Maher

The dinners you treated us to were exceptional – both the food and the company. Your wife, Dr. Yuqin Li, and son, Leo were charming and Hugh looks forward to continued conversation with Leo.

At the second dinner, we enjoyed lively conversation with your Department Head, David Schiraldi and Mark Soucek, Dept. of Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron and his son. We especially appreciate how everything came together for the November 3rd screening in the Strosacker Auditorium. It was our largest and most appreciative audience to date.

Audience taking their seats in Strosacker Auditorium

A special thanks to Mark Soucek, University of Akron, Emily Pentzer, Dept. of Chemistry and David Schiraldi, Dept. Head of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western for their participation in the Q & A.

A big thank you goes to Crystal Miller, Director of Science and Engineering at Hathaway Brown School (an all girls High School), who brought 10 students. Crystal reported:

My students were pleasantly surprised at just how entertaining, fun, and informative the documentary ended up being. I heard only good reviews from my students who said there were many parts that made them laugh and they found that it was engaging for the entire time. I also found that it was incredibly well done and learned quite a bit about polymers. It was an excellent movie!

One of Crystal’s students wrote:

I think that after watching the film, I felt a reiteration of the importance of plastic and polymers. It is an issue with unacknowledged importance, and has a plethora of unsolved problems. I am applying to college at this point, and I want to be a chemical engineer so that I can synthesize materials that can solve problems and be better for the environment, which were topics in the Bakelite film. Watching the film, I felt some recognition towards the problem that I want to devote my career to, which was great. Thanks!

Before the screening at Case Western, staff reporter, Hope Yashnik, wrote an article, Bakelite Film Highlights the Inventor of the First Plastic for the campus newspaper, the Observer.

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