Bakelite is the trademarked name for synthetic resins and plastics developed by a US chemist. Jewelry pieces made of Bakelite, especially with animal and fruit motifs, were extremely popular in the US in the 1930s and are now considered collectors items. Bakelite has had something of a renaissance in this country in recent years.

Bakelite is a material based on the thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride developed in 1907–1909 by Belgian-American Dr. Leo Baekeland. Formed by the reaction under heat and pressure of phenol and formaldehyde, generally with a wood flour filler, it was the first plastic made from synthetic components. It was used for its electrically nonconductive and heat-resistant properties in radio and telephone casings and electrical insulators, and was also used in such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelery, pipe stems, and children's toys. In 1993 Bakelite was designated an ACS National Historical Chemical Landmark in recognition of its significance as the world's first synthetic plastic.

The retro appeal of old Bakelite products and labor intensive manufacturing has made them quite collectable in recent years.

The name Bakelite was originally a brand, trademark name, but it is currently considered a generic term for all phenolic resin products, though some phenolic products besides Bakelite are brand-named.

Some Bakelite Trivia

• Holton (Leblanc) once used Bakelite in the manufacture of saxophone mouthpieces.
  
  
• Eastman Kodak used Bakelite when making the Brownie 127.
  
  
• Due to Bakelite's hardness and durability, it was considered as a material for making pennies in the United States during World War II because copper was needed for shell casings. Several patterns were made in 1942, but steel was used instead in 1943 from recycled shell casings in 1944 and 1945.
  
  
• Bakelite was used for the first solid body electric guitar, the Rickenbacker "Electro Spanish model B".
  
  
• In the UK, many people refer to traditional black rotary dial telephones as Bakelite phones or Bakelite telephones, regardless of the actual material used to make the device. A Bakelite telephone typically carries a kitsch or retro image.
  
  
• Bakelite is mistakenly used as a term for many vintage guitar parts made of polystyrene, urea-formaldehyde, or other early plastics. An example of a true Bakelite part is the pickguard found on early 1950s Fender Telecasters.
  
  
• The Russian AK-74 assault rifles used magazines made of Bakelite and were an unusual orange in color.
  
  
• When rubbed, original bakelite has a telltale odor.
  
  
• The original triangular handguards of the M16 rifle were composed of Bakelite.
  
  
• The Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion features a scene in which key hallways in the NERV headquarters are filled with Bakelite to slow the advance of JSSDF forces. Bakelite is also used in the fifth episode of the Neon Genesis Evangelion animated television series to restrain Unit 0, which goes berserk in an experimental test.