We at Thogus find plastic injection molding fascinating and while we recognize that this might not be the case for most, we do think the facts below are pretty interesting. Enjoy! 

• The first plastic injection molding machine was patented in the United States in 1872 by John Wesley Hyatt, with help from his brother.

• The original purpose for the injection molding machine was to make billiard balls by injection celluloid into a mold. Celluloid went on to replace ivory in billiard ball production. 

• In 1946 the Injection Molding industry was revolutionized by American James Hendry when he updated Hyatt’s design from a plunger to a screw injection molding. To this day most plastic injection molding machines use this technique. 

• In the 1970s James Hendry also designed the first gas-assisted injection molding process, allowing for more complex parts to be made.

• Injection molding is the most popular method of plastic processing.

• In 1980 Apple selected the material ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) for personal computers.

• There are over 80,000 different materials available for molding (including 17,000 plastics).

• Injection molded parts can range in size as large as a car bumper or tractor hood down to a part smaller than the eraser on a pencil.

• There are over 8,000 plastic injection molders in the United States including captive molders and contract manufacturers. 

• Since 1949 Lego has injection molded over 400 BILLION Lego elements and currently they produce on average 35,000 Lego elements a minute.