DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF PLASTICS. Plastics are markers of social change and pacesetters for technological progress. This emerges clearly from a review of their development which started before the 201 century and has been characterised by steady growth. It all began with galalith, celluloid and thermosels, while today polyolefins and other thermoplastics are the high-volume sellers. The growth opportunities for plastics still appear to be almost limitless, as is demonstrated in today's rapidly developing economies of Asia, with China the engine of development.