What is a Fada radio?
Fada Radio, operating as Andrea-Radio for exports, was an American radio and TV manufacturer in the 1930s to 1950s, based in Long Island (NY). In the 1950s they didn’t venture into transistor radios, concentrating on all-tube television instead.
What is FADA TV?
FADA-TV | Florida Automobile Dealers Association.
What is a Catalin cabinet?
Catalin is a brand name for the popular thermosetting polymer developed by the American Catalin Corporation in the 1930s. It is an early plastic made from phenol formaldehyde resins. Early on, radio manufacturers had sought an economical replacement for costly wood cabinets.
What’s the difference between Catalin and Bakelite?
Bakelite is opaque, while catalin is often translucent (can often see this at the edges of an item). If the item is brightly colored jewelry or similar items, it is more than probably catalin.
Is Catalin the same as Bakelite?
Jewelry made out of Catalin is usually referred to as Bakelite in the antique trade, while the household items, radios, cutlery, etc. are accurately referred to as Catalin.
Is catalin still made?
Collectors will occasionally find other early plastic-like material advertised at auction. Some were experimental before Bakelite or Catalin and others just had small production runs. They are no longer being manufactured, but turn up as collectibles.
How can you tell celluloid from Bakelite?
Bakelite will emit a smell like formaldehyde when placed under hot water. Bakelite is a sturdy material and is heavier than Celluloid. Bakelite is denser and heavier than Celluloid. Hold two pieces of jewelry in your hands and compare the weight.
How can you tell catalin from Bakelite?
Bakelite only comes in dark colors, usually black or dark brown. Catalin can come in a wide variety of color colors, including bright colors and marbling. Bakelite is opaque, while catalin is often translucent (can often see this at the edges of an item).
Which is older Bakelite or celluloid?
Celluloid is older (mid 1800s to early 1900s), so an older piece will be celluloid rather than bakelite or catalin.
How do you test Bakelite with baking soda?
The Baking Soda Test – Dip a cotton swab into baking soda and rub it into a test spot on the item. Ex. a bracelet on the inside, brooch on the back etc. If the cotton swab turns a yellow tone you have a positive test.
Is anything still made of Bakelite?
Bakelite stock is still manufactured and produced in sheet, rod and tube form for industrial applications in the electronics, power generation and aerospace industries, and under a variety of commercial brand names.
Are catalin and Bakelite the same?
What was plastic called in the 1950s?
20th Century
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1938 | Polytetrafluoroethylene (commonly known as teflon), discovered by Roy Plunkett at DuPont. |
| 1941 | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is discovered at the Calico Printers’ Association in Britain. Expanded polystyrene first produced |
| 1950 | DuPont begin the manufacture of polyester. |
How do I know if I have Bakelite or plastic?
Bakelite feels heavier when compared to some other types of plastics, like celluloid. Hold another type of plastic you have identified in one hand, and a piece you know to be Bakelite of approximately the same size in the other. You will often notice the heavier feel of Bakelite.