Guess the object

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual.

By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?

Post your answer in the comments below or to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Object Condition Checking

Over the past several months I have been working on an annual object condition checking project to monitor the collection for any signs of deterioration. A total of 350 objects were reviewed including all of the Cellulose Acetate and Cellulose Nitrate objects (notorious problem plastics), a sample of 10 items from each of the different plastic groups in the collection and 10 items made from materials other than plastics. Each object was thoroughly examined, all associated records updated and, where necessary, storage improved.

When we perform a condition check, early signs of degradation can include (http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/curators_guide/care_plastics):

• bloom, a white powder of the surface
• corrosion of metal parts or surrounding objects
• crazing and cracking
• discoloured or shredded packaging materials
• distortion of the shape of the object
• smells: mothballs (camphor), sweetness, vinegar, vomit, rancid butter 
• surface stickiness 
• haze, a wet acidic deposit on the surface

Stylo platform shoes showing the plasticiser, adipic acid, having migrated to the surface.

We have a hospital cupboard where we keep objects in isolation if they are displaying signs of deterioration, a sample of which are regularly surveyed as part of an ACE funded project: Confronting Plastics Preservation http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/confronting-plastics-preservation. The main aim of this resource is to provide guidelines for the care of different plastics through a series of case studies tracking the deteriorating condition of 18 objects over the course of five years.

Although this is an interesting project, deterioration in the MoDiP objects is actually quite rare due to our preventative conservation measures and regular condition checking. Every time an object is removed from storage it is given a visual assessment and no sooner have we completed one year’s sample check it is time to start again.

Katherine Pell, (MoDiP Administrator)

BXL photographic archive #0108

In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.

This week’s image shows a can with a vinyl lining.

To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--07424

We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Did you know? #45

Did you know that all of our past exhibitions are available online?

Nature's plastic

The Worshipful Company of Horners have deposited its collection of over 400 objects with MoDiP for an initial period of 7 years. This will enable greater public access to these significant artefacts and complement MoDiP’s permanent collection. Prior to receiving the Horners’ collection MoDiP had few examples of natural plastics. This new collection helps to demonstrate the use of naturally occurring plastics before the development of their synthetic cousins. Objects range from the early 1600s to the present day. Horn is still in use in the UK for button making, shoe horns, combs, musical instrument components, sporting equipment and cutlery.

Louise Dennis (Assisant Curator)

A different view #36

There are many ways to look at the objects in the MoDiP collection.  With this series of posts I want to highlight the interesting views of objects that we may ordinarily miss.  These include the underside of an object, the surface pattern, or traces of manufacturing processes.

TitleKeep warm plate
Designer: Martyn Rowlands
Manufacturer: Boots
Object number: AIBDC :003425

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Guess the object

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual.

By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?

Post your answer in the comments below or to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

BXL photographic archive #0107

In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.

This week’s image shows a Hovercraft fan.

To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--05872

We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.
Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Did you know? #44

Did you know that all of our past exhibitions are available online?


Substitute: animal vegetable mineral  
Plastics are unusually versatile materials. As a result they can act as substitutes in different ways for a vast range of other materials. For example, they can imitate the appearance of other materials and fulfil the role of other materials without necessarily resembling them.

This exhibition presents a wide range of plastics according to the Linnaean classification of the substituted materials: animal, vegetable and mineral, and explores some of the ensuing benefits.

Louise Dennis (Assisant Curator)

A different view #35

There are many ways to look at the objects in the MoDiP collection.  With this series of posts I want to highlight the interesting views of objects that we may ordinarily miss.  These include the underside of an object, the surface pattern, or traces of manufacturing processes.

Title: Dee Gee bottle warmer
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: David Griffin
Object number: AIBDC : 003187

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Guess the object

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual.

By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?

Post your answer in the comments below or to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)