Plastic Man’s resting place

Have you ever noticed that old plastic sometimes smells bad? That’s because plastics degrade over time — at varying speeds depending on the type — and may release gases or other molecules as they break down. The specific smell can even be a clue to the type of plastic in question.

After learning about plastic degradation and conservation methods at a conference, Wendy Strohmeyer, the Bradbury’s collections specialist, knew that a couple of artifacts in our collection needed special attention.

The Plastic Men, once used in radiation testing, are now damaged, discolored and fragile. Their unpleasant odor tells us, where records fall short, that these mannequins are most likely made of cellulose acetate (sometimes called a “malignant” plastic) or a derivative like cellulose acetate butyrate.

Careful storage is key, as degrading plastics can damage nearby objects, including metals, organic materials and other types of plastic. While the Plastic Men were previously stored in plastic crates with foam cushioning, we now know that this well-intentioned strategy could have caused more damage. 

Artifacts physically connect us to the past, and the Bradbury takes its role in maintaining the Lab’s history seriously. With advice from archival conservation experts, Strohmeyer devised new storage crates for the Plastic Men in the hope that these resting places will slow the damage of time. After learning about plastic degradation and conservation methods at a conference, Wendy Strohmeyer, the Bradbury’s collections specialist, knew that a couple of artifacts in our collection needed special attention.