Bakelite is a type of PLASTIC that was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. It was the first synthetic PLASTIC and was used for a variety of applications, including electrical insulation, jewelry, and kitchenware. Bakelite was also used in the production of telephones, radios, and other electrical appliances. It was an important material during World War II due to its ability to resist heat and electricity. Bakelite is still used today in some industrial applications, such as circuit boards and machine parts.