History of Plywood?

Re: History of Plywood? *LINK*

Jonathan Peck - N.Y.

>Everything you wanted to know about plywood....and less. The short version is...the patent for plywood was issued in 1865, but manufacturing did not start in earnest until 1905.


Milestones in the History of Plywood

Re: History of Plywood?

Matt Dworman

>It didn't realy beging to become commercialy poular until about WWII - that's when it really took off

History of Plywood

Bill Lowrance in Geneva

>Interesting history, which prompts two observations. As to the concept, for many centuries there has been a practical parallel in the sandwiching up of paper sheets orthogonally to make hard "boards" for bookbinding; care has to be taken with grain, glue, pressing, etc so that the final counterposed tensions keep the book covers flat. And it's impressive to realize how important the advances with glues have been in the development of plywood.

Limited observation

Jim Reed @Tallahassee

>From my observations of American antique furniture, plywood came into use during the Golden Oak period (1890-1930). It is very likely that something from WWI was made with plywood.

Re: History of Plywood?

Bruce, a MN Galoot

>Last summer I refinished a small dresser that had belonged to my wife's grandfather. It had an inspection date of 1906 and had plywood panels in the sides. Drawer bottoms and back panels were solid, but the sides were ply.

Bruce

Re: History of Plywood?

Victor Parisian

>Interesting, about fifteen years ago while dumpster diving I found a four drawer olive drab solid plywood file cabnet made by a major furniture maker. I assume to be WWII vintage. Rollers are of hard plastic/rubber with wire connectors. It still does adiquate duty in the back shop for seldom needed old files. Value?

Re: Limited observation

Sam Simpson

>Hi Y'all,

Todd, it is important to differentiate between ply wood as available in sheet goods form, and ply wood which is custom laid for a specific job purpose.

Hepplewhite referred to the laminating of cross-plies, for the purpose of making material for delicate pierced fret work, in his book of 1790s.

Individual furniture makers have used the practice of laying up ply sections for specific components (curves in particular) during the two hundred years since.

As we entered into the twentieth century the supply of materials was becoming an industry set apart. It was in the late 1800s and early 1900s that attempts were made by the industry to establish some standards for supply.

As with many revolutions in civilian life, it was the military need for the product which provided the impetus to become a standard commodity. The need to mass produce air frames for the invasion of Europe in 1944. (most notable the large glider) Was the primary factor in producing 4x8 sheet goods in standard thickness'.

In the conservation arena we think of any ply wood manufactured with formaldehyde as a component of the glue and any rotary cut veneers as being post WWll

In Europe these separating factors can be said to be very well defined. The bulk of European supply was set up in the Scandinavian countries after WWll. But in the United States the gray area of the first half of the century is not as easily defined. A number of small plants where manufacturing and supplying specialty product to the furniture trades of the Grand Rapid area of Michigan. Where the manufacture of bent wood and plywood furniture preceded the mass-production of sheet goods.

Regards Sam Simpson.

Re: History of Plywood?

Ernie Miller

>It seems to me that some airplane parts were made out of plywood in WW I and as the link below says 1905 it took off. I'm betting yes you bought somthing good.

Re: GREAT INFO. Thanks.

paul womack

>

Thanks!

Todd Hughes

>I sort of thought it could have dated back that far but didn't know....Thanks to all for your help!.....Todd ...P.S. Ernie it's a neat trench periscope

Re: Thanks!

Ernie Miller Topeka

>Parascopes are cool I make them for toys for tots every year. how long does it extend? I was at a rummage last week up by fort Riely but all they had was the modern stuff nothing vintage.