From its humble beginnings, plywood has risen to become one of the design world's favorite materials. Patkau Architects used it to create these Winnipeg ice skating shelters in 2012.
From its humble beginnings, plywood has risen to become one of the design world's favorite materials. Patkau Architects used it to create these Winnipeg ice skating shelters in 2012.
Courtesy Patkau Architects
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2017%2F07%2F06%2Fdesign%2Ffinland-design-centenary%2Findex.html">Finnish</a> designer and architect Alvar Aalto embraced the flexibility and natural aesthetic of plywood.
Finnish designer and architect Alvar Aalto embraced the flexibility and natural aesthetic of plywood.
Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London
This full-scale house was built at the 1937 Madison Home Show to demonstrate the American Forest Product Laboratory's plywood prefabrication system.
This full-scale house was built at the 1937 Madison Home Show to demonstrate the American Forest Product Laboratory's plywood prefabrication system.
courtesy USDA Forest Products Lab
One of the fastest and highest-flying planes of WWII, the British de Havilland Mosquito, was made of plywood.
One of the fastest and highest-flying planes of WWII, the British de Havilland Mosquito, was made of plywood.
Courtesy de Havilland Aircraft Museum
Almost all early airplanes were made out of wood, such as this complete Deperdussin Monocoque fuselage carried by workmen at the Paris Deperdussin factory in about 1912.
Almost all early airplanes were made out of wood, such as this complete Deperdussin Monocoque fuselage carried by workmen at the Paris Deperdussin factory in about 1912.
Courtesy Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace-Le Bourget- INV.Prim
Charles and Ray Eames spent years experimenting with the possibilities of plywood.
Charles and Ray Eames spent years experimenting with the possibilities of plywood.
Courtesy Eames Office, LLC
Danish designer Grete Jalk was inspired the Eameses and Alvar Aalto in her work. This molded plywood chair was formed out of just two conjoined pieces.
Danish designer Grete Jalk was inspired the Eameses and Alvar Aalto in her work. This molded plywood chair was formed out of just two conjoined pieces.
Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Plywood has also been used to make more humble modes of transport.
Plywood has also been used to make more humble modes of transport.
Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Continuing the plywood tradition today, David and Joni Steiner designed their Edie stool with birch plywood.
Continuing the plywood tradition today, David and Joni Steiner designed their Edie stool with birch plywood.
Courtesy Rory Gardiner
The invention of the rotary veneer cutter in the 19th century meant plywood was used ubiquitously throughout the Victorian home, such as this Singer sewing machine with molded plywood cover from 1888.
The invention of the rotary veneer cutter in the 19th century meant plywood was used ubiquitously throughout the Victorian home, such as this Singer sewing machine with molded plywood cover from 1888.
Courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum, London