George Bogatko asked:

> What was it's history?   What was it made of?   Why did so many trust
> and use it?

Hi, George.  I can't tell you what it's made of, but I can tell you
that it almost bankrupted the Austin Organ Co.

I was working as a pipe organ tech in the late 60s when it first came
out, and I was sent a large sample.  I delayed buying it because of a
built-in reluctance to be the first to try something new.  I'm glad I
waited, because the supplier (Dow Chemical? - Can't remember) changed
the formulation without telling anyone, and the product deteriorated
within 5 years, getting brittle and porous.

In addition, it had to be glued with a glue similar to Player Piano
Co.'s 'Plastic Glue', so it was devilish to clean off of the wood to
replace with leather.  As Austin had guaranteed it, they were stuck for
LOTS of replacement, and I believe that one executive who had pushed it
was fired outright.  I don't know if Austin took legal action against
the supplier.

Ironically, I recently found my old sample (which was of the first
batch), and it was still supple and airtight.  If the supplier hadn't
changed the formulation, we might still be using what had been a
promising product.  I'm sure others will supply the information I've
forgotten.

Regards,

Bob Loesch
http://www.jps.net/rrloesch