In an age without plastic or composite materials, this new inexpensive paper, which could be molded, formed, and otherwise manipulated, became the high-tech construction substance of its day.
This combination of varnish and paper was the compsite material of its day. It's basically a precursor of fiberglass + resin construction.
Interesting! I was just reading about aircraft dope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_dope) which had a similar purpose. Unfortunately, the material of the day was nitricellulose, aka gun cotton, so had a habit of catching fire.
This combination of varnish and paper was the compsite material of its day. It's basically a precursor of fiberglass + resin construction.