Bakelite was invented by chemist Leo Baekeland at the turn of the century. A combination of phenol or cresol with formaldehyde and ammonia, Bakelite creates a thermosetting plastic that can be easily molded.
It was used earlier this century for making radio cabinets, telephone receivers, electric insulators, and molded plasticware, all of which are now considered collector's items.
It is possible that bakelite items outgas formaldehyde.