The Wonder of Modern Drywall

3 months ago

Dirt as a construction material is abundant but requires wood to be rendered into a plausible building material, leading to techniques like wattle-and-daub.
Wattle-and-daub has been used for at least 6,000 years, with some buildings still featuring panels from 700 years ago.
Plaster-and-lath walls, a technique from the turn of the 20th century, were labor-intensive and required skilled tradespeople.
Old plaster-and-lath walls are fragile, making it difficult to mount even lightweight items without causing damage.
Asbestos was a popular additive in plaster mixtures due to its fire resistance, despite its later-known toxicity.
Modern drywall, developed in the early 20th century, became the standard for walls and ceilings in American homes by the 1950s.
Drywall is manufactured off-site, providing a uniform, robust, and easily paintable surface for modern interiors.
Drywall allows for easy hanging of items, from pictures to heavy shelves, unlike old plaster-and-lath walls.
Modern drywall innovations include mold-resistant, fire-resistant, and soundproof options, as well as 'smart drywall' with integrated sensors.
Despite being boring, drywall represents significant but invisible advancements in architectural and design technology.

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