1 8 Miracles Ahead! 



"Why be tied to one place when your job or jobs may take 

 you to different parts of the country?" asks architect Cass 

 Gilbert, Jr. "Why own a lot and house you don't live in, and 

 live in a house you don't own? Why not own a home you like 

 that is different from your neighbor's, and rent the lot at the 

 land rent only? In this way, you could buy the house on a 

 credit-rent plan, rent the lot, own your home and move it 

 to your job." 



Gilbert's answer is the Plank Panel house. Here is how it 

 is built: 



"Random width planks of dry, suitable lumber two inches 

 thick and eight, ten or twelve feet long are run through ma- 

 chines that double tongue and groove the edges and rout out 

 the ends. By modern methods of assembly, with modern glues, 

 these planks are made into strong, solid panels four feet wide 

 and eight, ten or twelve feet long. Each panel represents a 

 four-foot width of wall or a four-foot width of floor. They 

 are the 'building blocks' out of which the house is constructed. 



"Provision is made within the body of each panel for inter- 

 nal metal rods to run horizontally through the wall at top 

 and bottom, and also vertically at regular intervals. The rods 

 pull all members together roof, walls and floor as tightly 

 as bolts can hold wood. Window and door panels are manu- 

 factured the same way, are self-contained, and are an equally 

 strong part of the structure. 



"This then becomes a wall two inches thick that has been 

 solidly pulled together by steel rods to steel corner members. 

 These panels are so weather-tight that five of them could be 

 bolted together by the same method to form a water tank. 

 For each plank is not only double tongued and grooved, but 

 is glued tightly to its neighbor with modern, waterproof glue. 



"With this house you can have exactly the style and appear- 

 ance you wish. You also get a home which you can add to. 

 Undo the corner bolts, add extension rods and a few panels, 



