Sejarah Kayu Lapis

The first traces of plywood-like materials appear in ancient civilizations. Notably, Egyptians around 3000 BC used thin sheets of wood glued together to create panels for furniture and boat construction. In China, around 2000 BC, similar techniques were employed to build decorative boxes and chests.

These early examples demonstrate the rudimentary understanding of plywood’s advantages, namely its increased strength, stability, and resistance to warping compared to solid wood. However, limitations in glue technology and production techniques restricted its widespread use.

The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed significant advancements in plywood production. In the 1760s, Frenchman Jean-Joseph Mathieu developed a method for slicing thin wood veneers using a rotary lathe, significantly increasing efficiency. Around the same time, advancements in glue technology, including animal-based glues and the invention of formaldehyde-based resins, provided stronger and more durable bonds.

• 1760s: Jean-Joseph Mathieu invents the rotary lathe for slicing wood veneer.
• 1817: Thomas Brunton patents the first machine for gluing wood veneers together.
• 1865: The first modern plywood factory opens in the United States.
• 1905: The invention of the hot press significantly increases production and improves quality.
• 1920s: The development of waterproof glues expands the applications of plywood.
• 1930s: Plywood becomes a vital material in aircraft construction.
• 1940s-50s: Post-war construction boom drives widespread plywood use in housing and commercial buildings.
• 1970s-present: Advances in technology lead to new types of plywood with improved properties, such as fire-retardant and moisture-resistant options.