Polymer Clay History ..
The first polymer clay was developed in the late 1930s by German doll maker Fifi Rehbinder who couldn’t find supplies during WW2. She called her plastic “Fifi Mosaik” and used this for sculpting her doll heads. In 1964 she sold her formula to Eberhard Faber (Staedtler) who tweaked it into the FIMO we can now buy in toy and craft supply shops. FIMO made it to America in the 1970s, but American companies also developed their own versions.
In the 1960s the American Zenith Products Company (parent company of Polyform Products Company which produces the clay) accidentally developed their own polymer clay called “Polyform”– the original version of what is now sold as Sculpey. While white clay was available from 1967, it took until 1984 before its present-day line of colours and ranges were available. In the 1990s another American company, AMACO developed Friendly Clay and in the mid-90s Premo was developed by Polyform. In 2001 the polymer clay artist Donna Kato created Kato Clay in collaboration with the manufacturer Van Aken.
Today there are many brands of polymer clay to choose from along with speciality clays.
Taken from https://helenkawhitedesign.com/polymer-clay
The History of Polymer Clay
For over 50 years, crafters across the world have enjoyed playing and creating with Polymer clay oven-bake clay. Here are some of the major milestones in the history of polymer clay that got us to where we are today:
1900s: Throughout the early 1900s, there was a high demand for synthetic alternatives to replace limited natural resources like shellac. Inventors used polymers to create new plastics such as Bakelite, a heat-conduction material. While primarily used as a thermal transfer compound, Bakelite became popular among some designers for its mouldability and creative possibilities.
1930s: By the 1930s, various manufacturers offered polymer materials like Bakelite for commercial purposes. When uncured, Bakelite’s phenol base was flammable and posed a risk to crafters. Inventors began developing non-flammable, non-toxic polymer clays as a substitute for artistic purposes.
1960s: In the early 1960s, scientists in an American laboratory sought to create a thermal transfer compound to protect electrical transformers. The material, a malleable clay, wasn’t successful at its initial purpose. However, one team member realized the versatile, mouldable, creative potential of the polymer clay, and Sculpey was born!
1967: Originally known as “Polyform,” what is today called Sculpey began selling in 1967 in just one colour: white. It was a grassroots effort to get Sculpey in the hands of crafters at street fairs and small art stores across the country. The non-toxic polymer clay took off as a popular new sculpting material.
1984: In the mid-1980s, Sculpey introduced coloured clay in the pigments you know and love today, opening Sculpey creations up to a new world of possibilities. At the same time, polymer clay spread in popularity as a fun and accessible craft material for everyone.
*Taken from the Sculpey website. https://blog.sculpey.com/the-history-of-polymer-clay
If you wish to read further information please click on this link which will take you to another website for jewellers etc. https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/jewelry-making-articles/polymerclay
Happy Claying!!
Susey ..