54. Masonite replaces metal

Masonite replaces metal [Sydney : Masonite Corporation, [194-]

This blotter issued during World War II by the Masonite Corporation in Sydney shows refrigerators built using Masonite. Masonite was invented by William Mason in Mississippi in 1924 and is made from wood pulp. It is notoriously susceptible to deterioration when wet so its wartime use in manufacture of fridges is unexpected. However it retained its popularity in the post-war period, as a material used in the internal fittings such as cupboards, for low-cost housing.