The Story of Bakelite

By the 1920’s, inventor Leo Baekeland’s Bakelite was being used around the world in all manner of industrial and consumer products. As part of Baekeland’s General Bakelite Company publicity campaign, author John Kimberly Mumford (1863—1926) was commissioned to write, “The Story of Bakelite” published by Robert L. Stillson Co. Color Printers, New York City in 1924. It remains today a fascinating look into the creative marketing of Bakelite and a window into early 20th Century industrial America.

The Connecticut-based actor John Edward McDonough (1954 – 2021) reads selections from the book. “The Story of Bakelite” was one of McDonough’s last performances. He had a distinguished career performing on national television and on NPR’s Prairie Home Companion. He was a longtime member of the Hartford Stage Company, Co-Founder of The Company One Theatre, and the narrator at many Hartford Symphony concerts. His distinctive voice is familiar to many as the reader of popular audiobooks.

Also living in Connecticut, director John Maher, film editor Craig Mikhitarian and composer Marty Fegy collaborated to bring the reading to life. Marty’s wife, Louise Acker gives the introduction.

Learn more about author John Kimberly Mumford at https://bit.ly/john_kimberly_mumford
Learn more about actor John Edward McDonough at https://bit.ly/john_edward_mcdonough
Learn more about Bakelite and its inventor, Leo H. Baekeland at https://allthingsbakelite.com