ABSTRACT
Adhesives have existed for thousands of years but only in limited form prior to the 1900s. Most were formulated from organic materials such as animal or vegetable byproducts or inorganic minerals. These primitive adhesives included natural gums and waxes such as rubber and beeswax, which were selected for their good moisture-resistance. Traditional woodworking adhesives were made by boiling animal bones to produce granules or flakes that were dissolved in water prior to use. These had limited resistance to moisture and temperature, in contrast to modern woodworking adhesives made from synthetically produced polymers. Soluble sodium silicate is an inorganic adhesive used for bonding porous materials while providing high temperature and moisture-resistance properties. In general, these primitive adhesives produce bonds with limited strength and variable performance.
