Engineers had learned that a resistor, which restricts the flow of electrical current, is best made of certain materials and a capacitor, which stores electrical charge, of others.

ECONOMIST: Jack Kilby

But she wants people to be more aware of where it comes from so everyone can be a little more conscious of all the materials that flow through our lives.

CNN: Environmentalist: It's becoming a plastic world

Former Greenpeace activist Annie Leonard, author of the book "The Story of Stuff, " and host of an online video, said 99 percent of all the materials that flow through the production process becomes trash within six months.

CNN: Environmentalist: It's becoming a plastic world