This video is one of a six-part series that looks at inventions and innovations that have shaped the way we live in the modern world. The series is aimed at the young adult audience, to make them more aware of the many developments that they take for granted, many of which did not exist even a few decades ago. In this episode, narrator Tom Baker takes the viewer on a tour of the world of plastics. Viewers look at how plastics were discovered and made practical for everyday use, as well as their myriad applications. There is also a survey of plastic's many byproducts, such as vinyl, polyester, lycra, nylon, rayon, and teflon. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi