Cellophane, a plastic film commonly used in packaging, was developed from cellulose acetate by Jacques E. Brandenburger in 1912. Cellophane was the first clear plastic packaging material. The importance of this discovery as a marketing tool should not be underestimated; sales of some products increased over ten times once they were wrapped in cellophane. During the depression, cellophane production actually increased while many other industries failed.

Brandenburger was disgusted with the sloppy tablecloths at his favorite caf‚ and he began to search for a way to protect tablecloths from stains. After researching cellulose nitrate solutions, which produced brittle fibers too rigid for tablecloths, Brandenburger began working with a material developed by Charles Frederick Cross and Edward John Bevan. The material was produced by treating the cellulose from wood with sodium hydroxide in water. This caused the fibers to swell, a process called mercerization. The mixture was allowed to age...