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Why was Celluloid originally developed as a substitute for ivory?

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Ubiquitous plastics — plastic pollution A volunteer collecting plastic nurdles (pellets less than 0.2 inch [0.5 centimeter] in diameter) at Barreiras Beach, Corrubedo, Spain.

Celluloid was originally developed as an affordable and practical synthetic plastic to serve as a substitute for natural materials like ivory, which were becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.

The primary driver for this development was the high demand for ivory in the manufacturing of consumer goods, most notably billiard balls. In 1863, a New York billiards company offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who could invent a satisfactory substitute for ivory billiard balls, which spurred inventor John Wesley Hyatt to experiment with various compositions. While his early attempts did not immediately yield a successful billiard ball, his continued research led to the creation of celluloid.

Beyond billiard balls, celluloid was marketed as a versatile alternative for other ivory-based products, including piano keys, brush handles, and combs. By providing a moldable, low-cost material, manufacturers were able to meet the widespread demand for these goods without relying on the limited and ethically fraught supply of natural ivory.123