Overheard a librarian at the county archives complaining about modern glue

She was going off about how polyvinyl acetate (PVA) just doesn't hold up like the old wheat paste did on those 1800s ledgers. Made me think about how much faster we move now but maybe not better, you know? Anybody else work with older materials and notice the difference?

2 comments

2 Comments

sanchez.blake19d ago

The whole "not holding up" thing kinda depends on what you're trying to do though. Modern PVA is way more stable and less likely to attract bugs or mold than old wheat paste ever was.

jones.angela19d ago

Wait, does that mean I've been using the wrong PVA this whole time? Because I'm pretty sure the stuff I bought from the craft store last year is basically just fancy glue that's already starting to yellow on my project. I feel like I always pick the wrong kind, the one that attracts dust like a magnet or something. It's a good point though, I guess if you get the professional grade stuff it's way better than my dollar store experiments. My problem is I get home, mix it up, and then realize I forgot to check if it's even the right type for whatever weird thing I'm trying to stick together. Honestly, half the time I just use whatever's left over from my kid's school projects, which is probably why nothing ever holds up.