Melmac Dinnerware is Retro Fun and Sought by Collectors

My vintage Melamine dishes are the coolest in my cupboard. Remember the dishes your Mom and Grandma had, the unbreakable ones? They are called Melmac and come in all kinds of styles, colors and patterns. My Melmac collection overflowed the kitchen cupboards, then the melamine dishes took over several plastic bins in the basement. Melmac is especially nice in the summer when you can set the picnic table with Melmac and not worry that you will lose pieces to breakage.

Melmac, which is a trade name for melamine dishes, has been around since the 1940's but melamine's popularity became widespread in the fifties and stayed right through the seventies. Near the end of the seventies decade Melmac ratings took a fall when Tupperware and similar plastics seemed novel and amazing. The advent of the microwave also contributed to the decline since Melmac is not microwaveable.

Melamine is a thermoset plastic which is made by mixing melamine with formaldehyde. Using heat and pressure the resin can be forced in to a mold in almost any shape. Melmac is very long lasting, so there is plenty still around today. Check eBay and you will find a large selection of Melmac plates, bowls and cups ready to be added to your collection.

The American Cyanamid company first developed melamine dinnerware in 1937, but it was not available to the public just yet since the Navy immediately saw the useful possibilities in unbreakable and lightweight dishes. The general public was not able to purchase Melmac until after the war. It was during this time frame that American Cyanamid had famous designer Russel Wright design a line of dishware. The designer line took off and many other companies made their own line of melamine dishes. Russel Wright designed his first line of Melmac and called it Residential. In 1953, Residential was awarded the Museum of Modern Art Good Design Award. Joan Luntz, another designer of note, designed the first square Melmac. You can still find pieces today in maroon, green, chartreuse and gray, but you have to dig a little since the square plates and bowls are sought after by collectors. Many companies designed patterned Melmac. The variety of patterns is stunning. From wheat and fruit patterns to flower power daisies, the Melmac patterns reflect the colors and designs of the times. The fifties brought turquoise and red atomic designs and the seventies were known for yellows, oranges and avocado greens. The shapes are also an important design element in Melmac. Take a look at the figure eight plates and bowls, for one example of interesting shape. Sugar and creamer sets also have retro cool form.

In the early fifties, when it became apparent that Melmac was to become a strong competitor in the dinnerware arena, a small scandal broke out. Porcelain makers had decided to get rid of the competition by publicizing an untruth. They insisted that Melmac could give off toxins that would poison people. Clearly, no one paid attention and Melmac became unstoppable.

One reason for it's huge popularity is that Melmac was carefree, inexpensive and fun. With so many patterns and colors to choose from you could find Melmac to match any style or décor. It was lightweight and unbreakable so it was easy to bring outside for poolside snacks or picnics. You could let your children wash the dishes and never worry about broken glass.

New Melmac has become available lately. Recognizing the unique advantages of Melmac, designers have offered brand new lines of Melmac. I prefer the old Melmac however, there is something satisfying about walking into a thrift store and finding that one piece that has been missing from my Melmac collection.

References:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-melamine.htm
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1841757,00.html
http://www.wilsonart.com/design/statement/viewarticle.asp?articleid=210