1950s laminate – Wilsonart provides some history

by pam kueber on September 9, 2008

As follow up to my post yesterday – with a round up of all the laminates for bathroom counters that are on my radar today – I also recently found this great little history of laminate in the 1950s, from Wilsonart. Click through to read the complete story, but here are a few highlights:

  • Laminate was so popular in the 50s, that a chrome-and-metal dinette cost four-times more than a wood dinette.
  • Plastic laminate was desirable for its impermeability – easy to clean up.
  • Another reason for the bright, exuberant colors of the 50s: Colors were rationed in the 40s during the war, when the color du jour was battleship gray.
  • Speckled laminate — also known as lame’ — was made with real glitter, which was invented in the 30s.
  • Marble and wood-grain were popular – with many choices still available today.


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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

jeff laurie June 22, 2009 at 2:21 pm

I am hoping someone out there can please tell me they know where to buy “cracked ice” laminate, cant see it on formica site, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks, Jeff.

pam kueber June 22, 2009 at 4:01 pm

Jeff, try places like barsandbooths.com. But, it’s very expensive there, I am told….

Connie Long July 2, 2009 at 1:33 pm

I am hoping someone has some information on aluminum trims to be used with laminates?
I have tried Schluter Systems but their produts are all geared for tile and are too large.
Thanks,
Connie

pam kueber July 2, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Connie – see the Fast & Easy box, Countertops. Trims there.

Anne Marie October 28, 2009 at 9:06 pm

I am trying to find a supplier of 1950’s benchtop lamite, that will ship to New Zealand…can anyone help??

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