zoom_in Click to enlarge

John Wesley Hyatt

▲ ▼

description John Wesley Hyatt Overview

John Wesley Hyatt was an American inventor who secured a patent in 1869 for celluloid, the first commercially successful synthetic plastic. He developed the material, which combined nitrocellulose and camphor, primarily as an alternative to ivory in the manufacturing of billiard balls. Over his career, Hyatt secured hundreds of patents across multiple industries. Among his other major achievements was the invention of a commercial roller bearing, which eventually led to the founding of the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company.

help John Wesley Hyatt FAQ

What did John Wesley Hyatt invent?

John Wesley Hyatt is best known for patenting celluloid in 1869, one of the earliest commercially successful plastics made from nitrocellulose and camphor. His invention was driven by a competition to find a synthetic substitute for ivory in billiard balls.

Did John Wesley Hyatt invent the billiard ball?

Hyatt did not invent the billiard ball, but he developed a celluloid composition that could replace ivory in their manufacture. His work was prompted by a prize offered by a New York billiard ball manufacturer for a viable ivory substitute.

What company did John Wesley Hyatt found?

Hyatt and his brother Isaiah founded the Albany Billiard Ball Company and later the Celluloid Manufacturing Company. These enterprises commercialized celluloid for products ranging from dental plates to combs and photographic film.

Is celluloid still used today?

Celluloid is rarely used in modern manufacturing due to its high flammability, having been largely replaced by safer synthetic plastics. It remained the standard material for motion picture film stock for decades and is still used in small quantities for guitar picks.