Specimens of polyvinyl chloride prostheses

The museum's plastics collection began in the 1930s with the acquisition of specimens of plastic raw materials and finished products. The collection was driven largely by Arthur de Ramon Penfold (1890-1980), a former industrial chemist, who worked as curator and later director of the museum from 1927 until 1955.

Penfold was greatly concerned with the technical and commercial development of local industries, particularly in the aftermath of two world wars, and believed that the museum had an …