Do you have a favourite book about plywood? We do!
'Plywood: A Material Story' is a fine research of Christopher Wilk - who is the keeper of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum, England. He is the well-known author of books on Frank Lloyd Wright, Marcel Breuer, and on the Thonet furniture company.
This book is a real gem, especially considering its humble title. Who would’ve thought plywood could be so unique and surprising?
Published in collaboration with the V&A in 2017, the book elegantly explains what is plywood and its role in the world modern history from its use in Ancient Egypt to its positioning in the digital age.
For sure, this is the first detailed study of plywood’s history and its many uses through the ages.
From the legendary WW2 Mosquito bomber to those unique spruce veneer swimsuits, it's got it all! Author Wilk dives into these amazing uses and puts them in historical and cultural context.
As a manufactured wood product, plywood can be shaped in various ways, making it ideal for a wide range of applications — automobiles, furniture, architecture, trains, sculpture, airplanes, and boats - to name a few.
The main focus is the material development from the 1930s to today. The research covers plywood's key role in architecture, the post-war craft movement, and its compelled decline in the 1960s when cheaper materials took over. However, since the Millennium, plywood has enjoyed a revival, appreciated for its practical, aesthetic, and eco-friendly qualities.
The research is spot-on, the writing is easy to follow and engaging, and the book is packed with hundreds of fascinating illustrations — everything from stunning colour photos to quirky cartoons. It’s an endless source of info, wonder, and a good laugh.
The next read - 'Complete Plywood Handbook'.