11. The handle of pressure cookers is made of plastic because it should be

The handle of pressure cookers is made of plastic because it should be made non-conductor of heat. The plastic used there is the first man-made plastic, which is :

Polythene
Terylene
Nylon
Bakelite
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
The plastic used for pressure cooker handles and other heat-insulating applications, and which was one of the first man-made plastics, is Bakelite.
Bakelite (Polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride) is a thermosetting plastic developed by Leo Baekeland in 1907. It was one of the first plastics made from synthetic components. It is known for its excellent electrical insulation and heat-resistant properties, making it suitable for handles of cookware, electrical fittings, and other applications requiring heat resistance.
Polythene (Polyethylene) and Nylon are significant plastics but came later than Bakelite. Terylene is a type of polyester. While all are polymers, Bakelite is specifically known as a pioneering synthetic plastic widely used for its heat and electrical insulation.