ABOUT US
Founded in 1972
As our industry has evolved, it becomes incumbent upon us to remember the dedicated work of these individuals.
The Plastics Hall of Fame was founded in 1972 by Editor-in-Chief Sid Gross in cooperation between Modern Plastics Magazine and Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), now Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). We celebrate both living and posthumous inductees at a black-tie gala every eighteen months. The Plastics Hall of Fame, Inc. memorializes the industry tradition through honoring outstanding individuals by inducting them into the Plastics Hall of Fame. Its Board of Directors serves as the screening committee for the nominations, which are then sent to the living Hall of Fame members for their selection of the inductees.
In 1988, the Plastics Hall of Fame was endorsed by PLASTICS (formerly SPI), as well as the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), the Plastics Pioneers Association and the National Plastics Center. The American Plastics Council (now American Chemistry Council, ACC) followed suit in 1999.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PLASTICS HALL OF FAME
The early 1970s were an exciting growth period for the plastics industry. The plastics technology developed during the Second World War allowed the industry to take advantage of the pent up demand for consumer products. The prospects for the future were encouraging.
The genesis for the American Plastic Hall of Fame grew out of a 1972 discussion between Sid Gross, the long time, highly respected editor of Modern Plastics magazine, and the magazine’s publisher, Stuart Siegal. The resulting concept was to establish a Plastics Hall of Fame (PHF) that would honor and record the contributions of the living pioneers in the plastics industry whose efforts significantly contributed to the growth of the plastics industry.
On October of 1972, Sid Gross announced that Modern Plastics magazine in cooperation with the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) had established a PHF to recognize those living Americans who, through creativity, dedication, work and accomplishments have contributed most significantly to the growth and success of the plastics industry.
The inaugural PHF induction ceremony was held on November 8, 1973, during the National Plastics Exposition (NPE). Eleven men were inducted into the PHF in the elegant grand ballroom of a Chicago hotel.
Following the 1973 induction ceremony, the membership criteria for the PHF was expanded to include deceased industry members who had made major contributions to the industry, including John Wesley Hyatt and Leo H. Beckelman. Seven living and eleven posthumous members were inducted at the 1976 ceremony.
In 1976, responsibility for the PHF was transferred from Modern Plastics magazine to the Society of the Plastics Industry. SPI conducted the 1979 and 1982 induction ceremonies. Due to budgetary problems, SPI deferred the 1985 induction ceremony.
Following the next induction ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 8, 1986, Jerome Heckman convinced the PHF operating committee to establish the Plastics Academy, Inc., to undertake responsibility for administering the PHF and its related activities. (The Academy is now the current Plastics Hall of Fame, Inc.)
The forming of the Plastics Hall of Fame was endorsed by the following major industry organization: The American Plastics Council, the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association), the Society of Plastics Engineers, the National Plastics Center and Museum.
By the turn of the century the plastics industry had turned its attention to the larger international market. Many material suppliers, machinery builders and processors became multinational companies. Responding to this situation, the PHF started accepting international nominations in 2004.
Glenn L. Beall