This vintage piece is in beautiful pre-loved condition and ready to gift to that someone special or treat yourself - The most highly collected vintage plastic, Dr. Leo Baekeland patented the process of making bakelite in 1909. Similar materials like Catalin used in radios and other consumer goods were made by other companies. Bakelite is a type of plastic that is made under high heat, but it cannot be recycled. Bakelite is a very flexible material that can be decorated through moulds, carvings, inlays, lamination, etc, and it could be made in almost any colour. Bakelite can change colour, with whites usually turning more cream coloured for example.