Welcome Matte
Today, I’d like to say a few words in defense of a much maligned and little understood material…Felt.
Much more than the past tense of the verb “feel”, felt is actually the 26th element in the Periodic Table. Even in this, the 21st Century, there are those who believe the symbol “Fe” represents iron. You’d think everyone would know that there is no “e” in iron; and the “F” is silent.
Legend has it that an early form of felt resulted from a fleece lined Noah’s Ark; treated to abundant urine and trampled by restless yaks an early wall-to-wall carpet emerged. More recently, similar experiments have been credited with the formation of Dick Cheney; and, to this day, it is still the preferred method for achieving that “new carpet” smell.
In fact, the list of items that can be made from felt is practically endless; from hats, to the little hammers that strike piano strings, to many of the more expensive brands of bologna.
And where would the Art World be without this miracle fabric? Do you, honestly, think Van Gogh could have created those marvelous textures with merely some paint, a brush and a Swiss Army Knife? And they don’t inform you on the Vatican tour that for the Sistine Chapel ceiling Michelangelo worked, almost exclusively, in roofing felt.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my new suit to the cleaners before they close. For mail order, it’s an almost perfect fit…I sure hope they can do something about the odor.
Those felt suits can be stiff even after the smell wears off. The last time I felt felt I felt it felt funny.
Just like this post. count Sneaky
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Thanks, Count. Now you know I know you know what it felt like.
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I am really confused now. I thought that the stuff used on the roof and the stuff my mom used to make quick sandwiches was the same stuff. Did I misunderstand you to say there is a difference?
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What?!
It's not bad enough that I have to write this garbage...now, you want me to read it, too?!
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I've always wondered it it was bad form to go around sniffing new carpets: now I'm quite sure. Thanks for the lesson!
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Bad form, not necessarily a bad idea.
You're welcome.
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I always hate it when an important material gets overlooked in preference for its inferior. Felt ignored for iron? Where is the justice???
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Justice is merely a manufactured concept to make us feel there is some sort of universal equity. Trust me, felt doesn't always win.
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"Felt" is indeed underrated. Do you know how many surgeons have lint or some other form of felt about them as they save lives?
Makes you think.
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Yes, it does make me think. It also makes me a little nauseous.
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