crystalate is an early plastic, a formulation of nitrocellulose, camphor, and alcohol invented in the late 19th century and patented by american inventor george henry burt. it is best known as a material for gramophone records produced in the uk by crystalate manufacturing company (although burt's own us-based globe record company also manufactured crystalate records), and for moulded billiards, pool and snooker balls, as produced by the endolithic company (uk, later the composition billiard ball company).