What did humans use before plastic?

Before plastic became widespread in mid-20th century, humans used a wide range of natural materials for everyday objects, packaging, and storage that are now often made from plastic. For containers and storage, people used glass bottles and jars, ceramic pots and jugs, metal tins, wooden crates and barrels, and woven baskets made from natural fibers like straw, reed, and bamboo. For wrapping and bags, they used paper, cloth bags made from cotton or burlap, leather bags, wax paper, and natural waxed cloth. For household items, materials like wood, metal, glass, rubber, bone, ivory, and natural textiles were used for tools, toys, and utensils. For example, combs were made from wood or tortoiseshell, not plastic, and buckets were metal. Food was preserved in glass, tin cans, and wax, not plastic wrap. Natural rubber was used for waterproof items. Before synthetic plastics like Bakelite in 1907, people used shellac, gutta-percha, and celluloid for early molded items. Life before plastic relied heavily on reusable, biodegradable, and locally sourced materials, with more repair and reuse, and less disposable culture, which is why plastic's convenience led to rapid adoption after World War II.