In Tom Fisher’s article “A World of Color and Bright Shining Surfaces: Experiences of Plastics in the Second World War,” the public’s perception and use of plastics in the post-war era is explored. Fisher discusses that in this era, plastics came back and were newfound symbols of modernity, starkly contrasting the previous idea of them being “cheap and inauthentic.” The media helped form these perceptions by promoting plastics as versatile, cheap, and easy to clean. This agenda marketed a futuristic, more efficient lifestyle than pre-war materials like wood and metal, contributing to the widespread adoption in domestic spaces. 

An important argument in favor of plastics is the visual and tactile qualities they provide. Plastics are extremely versatile in color and create smooth, shiny surfaces. Manufacturers could leverage this point as a form of practicality and hope for a more efficient and hygienic world. This movement was extremely popular by the 1950s and 60s, and plastics had transformed from materials to an aesthetic. However, Fisher mentions the eventual backlash plastics faced in the 1970s, as the environmental and physical impact of this material was called into question. Critics challenged the previous unblemished image of plastic being efficient and purely beneficial.

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Recently, there has been a surge in sustainable plastic innovations aimed at addressing the environmental criticisms highlighted in Fisher’s analysis. Modern manufacturers are now focusing on biodegradable plastics and recycled polymers to create durable and environmentally conscious furniture. For example, brands like Emeco have embraced recycled plastic in their iconic “111 Navy Chair,” which is made from 111 recycled Coca-Cola bottles. This design prioritizes both aesthetic appeal and environmental responsibility, reflecting a shift towards sustainable material usage in contemporary furniture design.

Emeco 111 Navy Chair, Image Source: Hive Modern

A notable example from House Beautiful in the 1950s is the widespread promotion of plastic laminates for kitchen and dining spaces. Advertised as “stain-resistant, wipe-clean, and endlessly colorful,” these materials were marketed to homemakers as symbols of modern convenience. Fisher’s analysis reflects this era’s infatuation with smooth, shiny surfaces that promised easy maintenance and visual appeal. The laminate craze in kitchens mirrored the broader cultural embrace of plastics as the forefront of post-war progress and efficiency, a notion heavily pushed by House Beautiful during that period.

1950s Plastic Laminate Kitchen, Image Source: House Beautiful

These two cases illustrate the evolving role of plastics from symbols of progress and modernity to mechanisms of sustainability and ecological mindfulness, reflecting shifting cultural values over time.