ACBL Bridge Beat #18 – Plastics?…

June 1947 . . . The Bulletin

“The ACBL is very anxious to have a plastic duplicate board made, but has so far been unable to get in touch with the right people. If you know plastics then you know what our problem is.”

November 1950 . . . The Bulletin

“Our supply department is flooded with requests for plastic duplicate boards. An experimental set was used at the Summer Nationals in Columbus for the purpose of correcting flaws in the workmanship. The manufacturer is now making improvements and corrections. As this requires changes to the original mold, the process is necessarily slow. We hope to have some sets at the Winter Nationals in New Orleans, but at this point, we cannot predict the date when they will be available to the public. However, when that day comes, an almost perfect board will go into play all over America.”

December 1967 . . . The Graduate

Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?

July 1976 . . . Salt Lake City, UT

The “perfect” plastic boards were used in tournament competition at the Summer NABC and have been used exclusively since.