Dope Room at Curtiss Aeroplane Plant "G," 1918

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Artifact Overview

Many early airplanes had wings and fuselages covered in lightweight fabric. Manufacturers coated the fabric with a lacquer commonly called dope. The coating increased the fabric's airtightness and weather resistance. This 1918 photograph shows a dope room at the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. In liquid form, dope could be highly flammable -- note the "Smoking Prohibited" sign.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Lantern slide

Subject Date

16 April 1918

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

38.730.2.9

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)
Adhesive

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.25 in
Width: 4 in