Plywood in the Sixties

Plywood in the decade. 1949 to 1959 experienced a 330 increase in production to a volume of 7.8 billion sq. ft. The growing popularity of the product is illustrated for the same decade with plywood used per new house start increasing from 400 sq. ft. to 2600 sq. ft. Predicted population growth alone in the sixties is shown to not assure continued growth of plywood use. The key to continued increase in plywood use, and therefore production, will be the responsibility of research. Research is described as having two sources, one carried out by individual companies directed toward development of new product specialties and the other carried out by the industry’s trade association, the Douglas Fir Plywood Association, with a broader field. Three categories of association research are described as beginning with structural applications utilizing plywood’s ability to withstand stress within its own plane. Stressed skin panels, folded plates, and box beams are cited. The second area of research is in improved plywood surface treatments to upgrade softwood plywood and provide maintenance-free performance as a construction material. The third area of research is in improved manufacturing techniques that will permit reduction in labor, provide for the utilization of lower grade logs and minor species, and improve gluing materials and techniques. Fruition of such research is seen in the utilization of plywood in new shapes and structures, in the elimination of painting problems and the introduction of new materials beneficially used with plywood, and in more efficient utilization of available raw material.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member