Unraveling the Fabric of History: The Untold Story of American Felt - Part 1

History is often shaped by grand narratives and significant events that capture the public’s imagination. Yet, the stories of niche industries and unsung contributors can be just as riveting. One such tale is that of American Felt, a company that played a pivotal role in various sectors but remains largely overlooked in mainstream historical accounts. Recently, the History of American Felt article was removed from Wikipedia, the citation being “no historical significance”.  This blog post aims to shed light on the intriguing history of American Felt, exploring its origins and contributions to industry as well as the local impact here in the Hudson Valley.

The Story of American Felt

American Felt was founded in the late 19th century and quickly became a pivotal player in the felt manufacturing industry. American Felt, later renamed American Felt & Filter Co., specializes in manufacturing nonwoven material, felt, and technical textiles. Although technology has changed since it’s founding in 1899, the uses and applications for this timeless material continue to be as important today as they were then.

In the early days, felt was found in everything from pianos to locomotives to refrigerators to the popular “poodle skirts” of the 1950s. Wool was the predominant fiber in the production of felt. [3]

Later, felt was manufactured for use in military equipment and supplies during WWII. “For example, every soldier’s canvas canteen cover had a felt lining.” [4]

After the war, manufacturing expanded, with the addition of filtration, medical felts, piano felt, and materials for the aerospace industry.

American Felt and Filter Co. Inc now produces materials for the automotive, aerospace, oil and firefighting industries - to name a few. 

References:

3.       ^ "Glenville - A Company Town". Greenwich Sentinel. 2021-07-30.

4.       ^ "Glenville - A Company Town". Greenwich Sentinel. 2021-07-30.