Challenge of Materials

Mottled brown rectangular block of Raw Leaf Gutta Percha, manufactured on Telcon Plastics Ltd.'s plantation in Malaya during the Japanese occupation, 1942-1945.

• Block of raw leaf gutta percha, 1942-1945.

Bakelite pin tray with hinged lid in the company's trefoil shape, c. 1950

• Bakelite pin tray, 1950.

Three spools of polyethylene terephthalate filaments produced at the Chemical Research Laboratory, Teddington (D.S.I.R) in 1943-44

• Spools of polyethylene terephthalate filaments, 1943-1944.

Dial telephone, dial marked with letters and numerals, c. 1930

• Dial telephone, c. 1930.

Triangular medallion made from the first ton of polyethylene produced at ICI, Wallerscote, in December, 1938. Medallion marked `DEC.1938 WALLERSCOTE', attached to metal clip marked `FB' (Frank Bebbington)

• Triangular polythene medallion, 1938.

Plant pot made from polypropylene reclaimed from process scrap from the fibre industry. Collected by S. Mossman at "Interplas" (NEC, Birmingham), 1990.

• Plant pot made from recycled plastic, 1990.

Visor in polycarbonate, 1975

• Visor made of polycarbonate, 1975.

Copper alloys have a unique combination of characteristics.They have high thermal and electrical conductivity, high corrosion resistance and high ductility and formability, as well as attractive colours. The best known copper alloys are the brasses w

• Brass pendant in the form of a human mask, made by the Yoruba people, 1801-1920.

Meteors are solid bodies from outer space. They become incandescent on entering the Earth's atmosphere producing "shooting stars", owing to frictional forces. Small meteors burn up completely but some of the larger ones survive and fall to Earth as m

• A slice taken from a meteorite

Bullet and stab resistant vest, worn under clothing by Metropolitan Police. This vest is designed to be worn by a woman.

• Bullet-and stab-resistant vest, 1996.