I saw the same show (Antique Road Show on PBS). I don't remember any bakelite tests on that segment... but it was very interesting.

I had a hard time knowing what to "smell" for with bakelite when I first started. I have a friend who owns an antique shop. He did the hot water test on one of his bakelite bracelets for me. Once you do the test on a known piece of bakelite and sniff it 3-4 times... the smell will be "locked in" your ofactory memory bank and you'll always remember it.. Now if I am away from "hot water", I CAN do the "rub" test and determine if it is bakelite since I know what I am "sniffing for"!!

Steve Snowden