Woodworking Myths and a Pinball Restoration
A woodworking blog's weekly roundup debunks the long-standing myth of George Washington's wooden teeth and highlights the restoration of a vintage wooden
The Splinter Report from Popular Woodworking gathers assorted items from the woodworking world. This week's edition looks at a restored wooden toy and tackles a pervasive historical myth.
A Restored Wooden Pinball Machine
Woodsmith's Phil recently restored a vintage, all-wooden pinball machine for a cousin. The rounded end of the machine had become brittle and shattered. To repair it, Phil soaked a thin strip of oak for several days, bent it to the correct shape, and stained it to match the original finish.
The game board itself had a shellac finish that had alligatored. He smoothed it by wiping it down with alcohol, applied a wash coat of shellac, and finished with two coats of paste wax. New nails and rubber feet completed the restoration. The report's author notes that such items, originating as toys, are at risk of being lost and not preserved as heirlooms, making their restoration particularly satisfying.
Debunking George Washington's Wooden Teeth
For generations, the story that George Washington had wooden teeth was repeated in textbooks and biographies. This claim, however, is false. While the first president did use false teeth, they were not made of wood. According to historians cited by the report, his dentures were constructed from materials like gold and human teeth.
The myth's origin remains unclear. The Mount Vernon Library states that the most likely explanation is that the materials in Washington's dentures, made by dentist John Greenwood, became stained over time. This staining gave them a grained, wooden appearance that misled later observers. The report points out that wooden teeth were never commonplace, as most wood would deteriorate quickly in a human mouth.
This falsehood persisted for over 150 years. The author references articles by Shea Alexander and Christopher Schwarz about similar myths being passed on in woodworking. The report also notes that the famous tale of Washington cutting down a cherry tree is likewise a myth.
A Quote on Craftsmanship
The report includes an out-of-context quote from woodworker Christopher Schwarz: "In the end, good work comes from the hands, not the bench."
Event Coverage from Handworks
While the author did not attend the Handworks event, they highlight a video recap created by YouTuber Chad Metcalf, who documented the gathering through his own perspective. The weekly report concludes by inviting readers to suggest items for future editions via social media or email.
