When did Bakelite cease to be used, and modern plastic start?
I have an old Sears Silvertone tube AM radio, and it has Bakelite sides.
I'm trying to figure out approximately when it was made.
Kinda antique looking, I'm thinking it might be 1950's, but I'm not sure. It would be cool if it were older, because it's in really good condition. No wood on it at all.
Most Bakelite radios were made from the 30’s-50’s. Other plastics of the era included Catalin, Beetle, and Plaskon
The model number will help you identify and date yours. The tube types and numbers will also help give an approximate date.
Don
bakelite has superior high voltage/high temperature characteristics, so it was always used with tube sets. with transistors, common plastics that could be injection moulded became the standard for economy and style. transistor desk radios came into vogue in the mid-60s