John Wesley Hyatt was an American inventor and entrepreneur, best known for his development of the first successful synthetic plastic, known as celluloid. Born on November 29, 1837, in New York, he initially worked as a printer before turning to invention. His work in the late 19th century revolutionized the manufacturing of various products, including billiard balls and photographic film. Hyatt's innovations extended beyond celluloid, as he also created a process for making synthetic rubber. His contributions to materials science laid the groundwork for modern plastics, influencing countless industries. Hyatt passed away on May 10, 1920, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of materials engineering.