Nitrocellulose is made by treating cellulose with concentrated nitric acid.
The material is known to be flammable when heated.
Once dissolved camphor & oil were mixed in with the substance. Parkesine plastics were made by dissolving nitrocellulose in solvents such as alcohol or methanol. Unfortunately, Mr Parkes went bankrupt before he could capitalize on his invention. In 1862 Mr Parkes exhibited his invention at the Great Exhibition of London where he was awarded a bronze medal. Initially it was patented as a waterproofing agent for clothes. It was considered to be the first thermoplastic (a material that becomes plastic on heating). In 1866 a British man named Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine.
