The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 074 Styrofoam: The Miracle Stuff From The Disposable Era

Welcome back to The Mid-Century Vault! Today, Philip Mershon dives into the squeaky, lightweight, and ultimately controversial history of one of the 20th century's most ubiquitous materials: Styrofoam. See a 1962 exhibit of foam hats, explore the evolution of the McDonald’s coffee cup, and learn how a material made of 98% air changed the way we eat, travel, and package the world. We're looking at the shift from heavy pre-war wood to the angular, efficient lines of the 1950s—and how the "miracle" of plastic eventually sparked a global environmental movement. In this video: There's no difference between EPS and the Dow Chemical trademark. How Styrofoam fueled the fast-food revolution. The rise of environmental consciousness after the first Earth Day in 1970. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to help us reach our next milestone! #1950sStyle #RetroCulture #MidCenturyVault #EnvironmentalHistory #PlasticPollution #VintageLifestyle #Documentary #DesignHistory