This fascinating 1937 film shows the major impact that Bakelite and associated phenolic resinoids had on manufacturing a wide range of consumer and industrial products in its day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCFBexBWGU#t=37

Absolutely fascinating, thank you.

Have heard it said "bakelite has asbestos in it", and sure enough the film mentions the 'A' word once along with other "fillers". Hazardous to grind and cut, especially in those finishing steps in manufacturing? Or is it stable in bakelite form? Lots of hazardous jobs in manufacturing back then like toxic fumes when heating etc.

Asbestos is only stable if it is left alone. I've seen several photos in the past of rows of workers using files to trim 'dags' off new radio cabinets. Breathing in the dust would have surely shortened the lives of many with asbestos and formaldehyde being two of the airborne nasties.

One thing that may have saved many of these people from a certain early death is another nasty - smoking. Most blue collar workers smoked in those days and the resultant tar lining on their lungs may have prevented asbestos fibres from digging into tissue and causing asbestosis. Well, this is what I've been told by a number of people anyway.

I appreciate that this post is a bit late but just to confirm Brad's comment that asbestos was frequently used as a filler in bakelite especially for items such as telephone cases and other parts that were expected to be subjected to rough handling. During WWII much military equipment using bakelite parts contained asbestos and wood pulp as the filler as it made the parts less susceptible to breaking. The surface of these bakelite parts often degraded over time and particles of the filler can be released. Polishing degraded bakelite only exposes more filler so do not buff it on a wheel.

What I have done is to paint/spray the part with a clear urethane varnish but I do not guarantee that this will provide permanent protection.

Asbestos is only one of a number of toxic materials that can be found in old electric and electronic equipment. Beware of mercury, thorium, arsenic, phosphors, lead, cadmium as well as selenium dust from old rectifiers. PCB may be present in many capacitors. Radium was used in some valves as well as in paint on dials. (I researched the subject when I had to write a paper on hazards in museum collections as part of a cultural heritage degree.)

There's no doubt that there are more risks than just high voltages and RF levels but it adds to the fun of collecting and restoring old gear.

Just watched the interesting video.

Did anyone else notice the size of the soldering iron at around the 18:40 mark... bigger than a curling wand!