In 1916, the German air force replaced the doped fabric skin of a range of aircraft, including the Fokker E III fighter, with an early plastic, the celluloid-like Cellon. Developed by chemist Arthur Eichgrün, Cellon was used by both sides as a varnish that could be used to dope aircraft skin. It was also available as transparent solid panels, which the Germans used in this case as a replacement doped fabric. The idea was that the Cellon airplane would become invisible in the sky. The reality was less successful. Though effectively transparent in clear skies, in cloudy weather the Fokker monoplane covered in Cellon was about as visible as normal fabric. Worse yet, in bright light the plane was sufficiently reflective that it was not only noticeable but blinding to its own pilot and observer.
The Devil of History
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