On August 15, we celebrate Computer Science Day, and there is no better way to do so than by remembering how technology and materials have gone hand in hand throughout history.

Did you know that the first electronic computer, ENIAC, was created during World War II to calculate ballistic trajectories?

It cost about US$400,000 at the time (equivalent to millions of dollars today), was approximately 2.4 meters tall, and weighed almost 30 tons. It's hard to imagine something like that on our desk, isn't it?

Today, we have notebooks weighing just over 1 kg, which are much faster and more efficient. This evolution was only possible because, along with advances in software and hardware, there was also a leap in materials science.

And plastic is a key player in this transformation:

Lightness: thanks to its low density, it makes equipment easier to transport.

Electrical insulation: most polymers do not conduct electricity, making them ideal for protecting cables and circuits. PVC is a classic example in this role.

Innovation in electronics: in addition to insulators, there are conductive polymers capable of carrying electricity. They combine optical and electrical properties and are found in batteries, sensors, and microdevices.

Research into polymeric materials continues to advance, replacing metals in a more sustainable way and making devices lighter, more durable, and more affordable.

The next time you open your laptop or hold a smartphone, remember: plastic is there, quietly helping technology go further.

Thays Baraldi

Technical Coordinator