These buttons are made of melamine. They are a record of an important plastic that was first used during wartime and later became a popular material for a range of consumer applications. They also highlight the practical properties of plastics that made them the perfect replacement for traditional materials such as bone and ivory. Melamine had an advantage over other traditional button materials such as bone, ivory and horn. It was water resistant, didn't burn or melt, was easily made, could be many colours and was durable. These buttons highlight the importance of plastics in the post World War Two consumer market. Both style and durability were essential as new fashions and fabrics of clothing were emerging.