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CHEMISTRY MAGIC 



THE DISCOVERIES made in developing plastics during the past 

 three years have increased this nation's potential wealth 

 beyond any possible calculation. As early as 1940, industry 

 had created plastic substances that were as thin as tissue, as 

 fine as silk, as elastic as rubber, more transparent than glass, 

 lighter than wood or aluminum, and tough enough to stop 

 bullets. Far from being mere substitutes for critical materials, 

 these plastics are proving as good or better than the materials 

 they replaced. 



Plastics synthetic (man-made) materials that can be 

 molded into permanent shapes have gone to war in a big 

 way. John M. Wetherby of the Society of the Plastics Indus- 

 try pointed out that prior to the outbreak of war the plastics 

 industry had concerned itself mainly with the production of 

 such everyday things as electrical appliances, radios, parts for 

 automobiles, decorative buttons, and hundreds of similar 

 items designed for eye appeal and general civilian well-being. 



Yet when the armed forces outlined their needs, plastics 

 were quickly put to work to replace both scarce metal and 

 rubber in war equipment. Plastics are used for pistol grips 

 and bayonet handles. This material will stand cold of 40 

 degrees below zero without cracking and heat of 170 degrees 

 above zero without softening or blistering. Plastic linings also 

 are used in combat helmets, and for goggles to protect a sol- 

 dier's eyes against the glare of desert sands or Arctic snows. 



"While all the present uses of plastics cannot be detailed, 

 for obvious reasons," states Mr. Wetherby, "some idea of the 



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