Laminate Surfacing (Formica) in Mid-Century Interiors (1930–1970)

1. Formica developed as a mica substitute

   Jan 1, 1912Labels: Daniel J, Herbert A, Westinghouse

   • Smithsonian
   • Wikipedia

2. Patent filed for early Formica laminate

   Feb 1, 1913Labels: Formica patent, laminate process

   • Wikipedia

3. Formica Products Company begins operations

   May 2, 1913Labels: Formica Products, O Conor

   • Wikipedia
   • Formica History

4. Formica Insulation Company incorporates

   Oct 15, 1913Labels: Formica Insulation

   • Smithsonian

5. Trademark “Formica” adopted by the company

   Jan 1, 1922Labels: Formica trademark

   • Formica History

6. Decorative printing technique patented for laminates

   Jan 1, 1927Labels: decorative printing

   • Smithsonian
   • Formica Patterns

7. Shift toward decorative laminate products begins

   Jan 1, 1930Labels: decorative laminates

   • Formica History

8. Melamine resins enable modern decorative laminates

   Jan 1, 1938Labels: melamine resins

   • Smithsonian
   • CAMEO

9. World War II redirects production away from décor

   Dec 7, 1941Labels: World War

   • Smithsonian
   • Formica History

10. Postwar housing boom spreads Formica kitchens

    Jan 1, 1947Labels: postwar housing, Formica kitchens

    • Smithsonian

11. Skylark pattern created for modern interiors

    Jan 1, 1951Labels: Skylark pattern, Brooks Stevens

    • Formica Skylark
    • Formica Patterns

12. Raymond Loewy Associates styles Sunrise Collection

    Jan 1, 1954Labels: Sunrise collection, Raymond Loewy

    • Formica Patterns
    • Formica Skylark

13. Acquisition by American Cyanamid reshapes the firm

    Jan 1, 1956Labels: American Cyanamid, Formica Corporation

    • Company Histories

14. Formica expands R&D and manufacturing capacity

    Jan 1, 1960Labels: R&D Design, manufacturing expansion

    • Smithsonian
    • Company Histories

15. Laminate becomes a defining mid-century surface legacy

    Jan 1, 1970Labels: mid-century laminate, Formica legacy

    • Formica History
    • CAMEO