Germany pioneered "German" Composition, a non-toxic material formed from wood flour (finely ground wood or cork) mixed with oleo resins, pressed into a mold, and baked. This produced a cellulose based plastic like material that takes paint well. It was linked with both celluloid development and the origins of linoleum (the real incredible super durable miracle floor, not the modern vinyl imitation) in German chemical industry, and so was a way station on the way to modern plastics and chemical industries.  Pictured is a 100 year old linoleum floor...the stuff is almost indestructable...in fact you should read what they go through to remove it!