Adhesives For The Ages: A Brief History of 19th Century Wallpaper Paste

I am a bit ashamed to sometimes being known as a, “just slap it on, the glue will do its thing” kind of guy.

And I have often felt guilt and shame over this cavalier application of the gooey, dank smelling glop.

It’s sad, but true. I have been taking modern wallcovering adhesive technology for granted.

I’ve forgotten my roots. And it’s high time to right this wrong. So join me now, for a look at how this all started, and in particular: a closeup investigation of:

The Imperial Phase of Wallpaper Paste: The 19th Century.

First, a look back to the 1500s:

• Wallpaper was first introduced to Europe by the Chinese. In those days, wallcovering was supplied in quadrants, each about a foot long, and 18 inches wide.

• In the early 1600s, a method of imitating a palpable, velvet-type finish was created. Wall coverings using this style were called “flocked.” This was achieved by sprinkling silk or sawdust on an inscribed design that had been glued in selected places.

The result created a frenzy in the decorating world, and the popularity for artistic wall coverings grew rapidly in Europe. This is how the wallpaper manufacturing industry began.

• As you would expect, the French had a great influence on wallpaper design. The first French wallcoverings were faux marble and other stone-like art.

• We can thank Jean-Michel Papillon, a French an engraver for the repeating designs that we know and love, and try to flawlessly match to this very day. Papillon is acknowledged as The Father of Modern Wallpaper.

But whether velvet, repeating pattern or faked rock: Even the most beautiful of wallcoverings would be worthless without some method to properly affix them to a wall.

This imperative need led to the invention of wallpaper paste by Ferdinand Sichel in 1888.

Wallpaper pastes in the 1800s typically featured shear thinning viscosity.

Yet, amazingly: they possessed a high wet adhesive tack.

This property was essential, in order to impede the penetration of the adhesive into the paper and wall, and provide a slow bonding speed. This allowed the wallpaper worker enough time to properly join the seams on the wall. The adhesive was usually sold in or boxes as dry, wheat-based power that was mixed with water.

Remarkably, after 134 years, the wallpaper paste technology created by a humble German chemist is still used everywhere in modern wallcovering.

From DIY cable television program hosts, to “weekend home-warriors,” all over the globe:

We owe Herr Sichel a debt of gratitude for his unselfish contribution to the advancement of wallcovering adhesive technology.

Gut auf Sie, Herr Sichel.

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