In an age without plastic or composite materials, this new inexpensive paper, which could be molded, formed, and otherwise manipulated, became the high-tech construction substance of its day.
This combination of varnish and paper was the compsite material of its day. It's basically a precursor of fiberglass + resin construction.
Interesting! I was just reading about aircraft dope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_dope) which had a similar purpose. Unfortunately, the material of the day was nitricellulose, aka gun cotton, so had a habit of catching fire.
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[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 24.9 ms ] threadIt's a great submission. Obscure but curious things that haven't appeared on HN before are some of the scarcest goods here.
This combination of varnish and paper was the compsite material of its day. It's basically a precursor of fiberglass + resin construction.