The official name of Celluloid House Yokohama is "Celluloid Library Memoir House" Yokohama. The museum was opened in March 2005 as a base for research and PR of celluloid, a material that is gradually disappearing.
Celluloid House Yokohama
http://www.celluloidhouse.com/
-
World's first synthetic resin material
In 1868 the American John Hyatt invented celluloid. Celluloid, the world's first synthetic resin material, is manufactured by mixing nitrocellulose (gun cotton) and camphor, a plasticizing agent, in the presence of alcohol. The mass, similar to dough, is then kneaded and pressed into blocks and rods.
-
Substitute for ivory
In 1870 the word celluloid was registered as a trademark. It was used as a substitute for ivory to make billiard balls. Celluloid quickly became popular for use in a variety of applications because it softens at around 90?, making it easy to process, and is also extremely amenable to coloring.
-
Import to Japan
In 1877 celluloid as a material began to be imported to Japan. Because celluloid doesn't break when hit and can be whittled with a small knife--material properties similar to a combination of the properties of glass and tortoise shell--it captured the interest of merchants who sold objects fashioned from tortoise shell, and was studied to a great extent.
-
Development into an important export product
In 1895, with Japan's advancement into Taiwan during the Sino-Japanese war, Japan put much effort into production and promotion of camphor in Taiwan, developing it into an important export product. Using camphor produced in Taiwan as a raw material, celluloid was produced domestically in Japan and became an important export product.
-
Dainippon Celluloid Company Limited (now Daicel Corporation) established
In 1919 Dainippon Celluloid Company Limited (Daicel Corporation) was established with 8 celluloid manufacturing companies throughout the country. The company led Japan's chemical industry.
-
Export of celluloid toys throughout the world
In 1937, when Germany and France, which were Europe's principal centers for production of celluloid, became major battlefields in World War II, Japan took over export of celluloid toys to America, Europe, Central and South America, and other countries around the world.
-
Export of bracelets to India
After World War II ended, bracelets for India also came into demand and demand recovered steadily. In 1950 (Showa 25), celluloid production rebounded during the Korean War and remained brisk.
-
Sale of celluloid toys prohibited due to combustibility
In New York City in America, a memorandum on control of combustible products led to prohibiting sale of celluloid toys in department stores and supermarkets. A ban was placed on export of Japanese-manufactured celluloid toys. In Japan, sale of celluloid toys rapidly declined for the same reason.
-
Celluloid still used sparingly in many fields
Celluloid is still used sparingly today as one of the materials for production of ping pong balls, pachinko machines, frames of glasses, fountain pens, guitars, and accordions.