Two men observing gages in humidity chamber of plywood laboratory at Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

Two men observing mechanical equipment in humidity chamber of plywood laboratory at Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Line in upper left is deteriorating diacetate negative damage.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

Two men are sliding a panel with several strips of siding into the humidity chamber at the plywood lab while a third man is setting the control panel for the correct test conditions. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

A view into the humidity chamber at the plywood lab shows the apparatus that provides the proper testing conditions. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

Men are checking the conditions in the humidity chamber at the Douglas Fir plywood lab. A plywood board is filled with dials and levers for controling the conditions while performing tests on new products. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

Testing hardwood at the Plywood Research Foundation. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Research facilities--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma;

Testing hardwood at the Plywood Research Foundation. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Research facilities--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma;

Testing hardwood at the Plywood Research Foundation using testing equipment manufactured by The American Machine and Metals, Inc., in East Moline, Illinois. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Research facilities--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma;

A technician examines plywood that has undergone shear testing at the Plywood Research Center. Although nailed down, several segments of plywood have been ripped away from the wall in this September, 1951, photograph. The research laboratory submits plywood to tests of durability and quality assurance in order that the finished product meet their high standards.

Plywood Research Center (Tacoma); Plywood; Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man believed to be Arthur E. Gruhl, technician at the Fir Door Institute, tests a full sized door at the Plywood Research Foundation laboratory in September, 1951. Douglas Fir plywood was constantly being tested for durability and to maintain high standards of quality production. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association, based in Tacoma, set up the Plywood Research Foundation as an industry maintained quality control laboratory.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Doors & doorways--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Plywood Research Foundation was supported by all fir plywood manufacturers and devoted to the development of new products that could be manufactured from parts of the tree not already being utilized. View of plywood products being tested and tool being used for testing at the Plywood Research Foundation.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma)--Products; Plywood; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laboratories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood was always being tested for durability and alternative uses. The research organization was supported by the plywood industries of Tacoma, this ensured Tacoma remaining at the top of plywood production. Interior view of Plywood Research Foundation, unidentified man is recording plywood test information, photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association (T. Times, 12/22/47, p. 10).

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Testing--Tacoma; Recording & registration--Tacoma; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Testing plywood for resistance to pressure. One worker manipulates the machinery while another keeps record of the test results. Severs laboratory tests to which fir plywood was constantly subjected assured consumers of consistent high-quality materials. The standards not only set forth grades and types but also consistent testing procedures. (T.Times, 2/25/1949)

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laboratories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Testing plywood at the plywood lab. One of the standards demanded that the adhesives, after setting, be stronger than the wood. The research projects were not only intended to answer today's questions but also future applications. Other studies included industrial and agricultural applications. (TNT, 2/17/1948, p.3-B)

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laboratories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Plywood Research Foundation. Testing plywood with a high flame at the plywood lab. A worker is keeping record of the test results. The Plywood Research Foundation was opened in August 1944 and was funded with an initial $100,000 from subscribers from the plywood manufacturers. A separate corporation was formed. Among the explorations at the lab were overlay and surfacing treatments for plywood, studies of built-up plywood beams and other structural applications, tests of preservative treatments and water repellants. (TNT, 5/24/1944)

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laboratories--Tacoma--1940-1950;