Trade Catalog, The Armstrong Pattern Book, Linoleum Pattern No. 8780, 1939

The Armstrong Cork Company began manufacturing linoleum in 1908, producing an amazing variety of patterns—by 1918, they advertised 380 designs. Linoleum was durable, versatile, easy to clean, and could imitate nearly any other material. The designs included mosaics, tiles, parquetries, granites, marble, and carpeting. This catalog documents the styles and interior design trends of the 1930s and 40s, with modern looking geometric patterns in addition to more traditional patterns with “homey” motifs and floral designs. It shows flooring for every room in a home, and spaces where linoleum was the preferred flooring material. This particular pattern, no. 8780, uses a faux marble tile background with solid color rectangles and is suggested for use in kitchens, beauty parlors, tourist cabins, and sun porches. In the early 21st century, linoleum is making a comeback as an eco-friendly material.