Definition & Meaning of "celluloid"

What is "celluloid"?

Celluloid is a type of early plastic used in filmmaking and photography for making film stock. It is a flexible, transparent material that can be coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, allowing it to record images. Although it was widely used in film production for much of the 20th century, celluloid has largely been replaced by modern, more durable materials due to its flammability and tendency to deteriorate over time. Despite this, celluloid remains an important part of film history and vintage photography.