The Hula Hoop craze of the 1950s took off thanks to a discovery made in Bartlesville, Oklahhoma.
In 1951, scientists J. Paul Hogan and Robert L. Banks at Phillips Petroleum Company developed polypropylene and high-density polyethylene—two plastics that revolutionized everyday products. First introduced to the market as Marlex polyethylene in 1954, this material quickly found its way into food containers, toys, furniture, carpeting, and even basketball backboards.
But it was the Hula Hoop that put Marlex in the spotlight! When the toy became a nationwide sensation, demand for the plastic skyrocketed, using up Phillips Petroleum’s entire supply for nearly six months. Over time, Marlex became a go-to material for baby bottles, shatterproof containers, and countless household items.
What started as a breakthrough in Bartlesville has since grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, shaping the world in more ways than one! the Hula Hoop craze of the 1950s took off thanks to a discovery made right here in Bartlesville?
In 1951, scientists J. Paul Hogan and Robert L. Banks at Phillips Petroleum Company developed polypropylene and high-density polyethylene—two plastics that revolutionized everyday products. First introduced to the market as Marlex polyethylene in 1954, this material quickly found its way into food containers, toys, furniture, carpeting, and even basketball backboards.
But it was the Hula Hoop that put Marlex in the spotlight! When the toy became a nationwide sensation, demand for the plastic skyrocketed, using up Phillips Petroleum’s entire supply for nearly six months. Over time, Marlex became a go-to material for baby bottles, shatterproof containers, and countless household items.
What started as a breakthrough in Bartlesville has since grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, shaping the world in more ways than one!
