Celluloid
Celluloid, a tough thermoplastic made from cellulose. It can be easily molded when heated. Celluloid was the first successful plastic material produced. For many years it was used for combs, buttons, ornaments, and other household articles, and for photographic film. Because celluloid catches fire easily, it has been largely replaced by other thermoplastics, such as polystyrene, nylon, and cellulose acetate.
Celluloid is made from cellulose mixed with nitric and sulfuric acids and then treated with camphor to make it flexible. Celluloid was developed in the 1850's but did not become commercially successful until the 1860's.