| By :
Mark Etinger
The first tarpaulin was likely some sort of shelter supported by sticks during the Paleolithic era. The caveman realized that even in the rain, with this tarpaulin, which was likely an animal skin, he could keep a fire going and cook his meat. The world had changed forever. Today heavy tarps are as American as apple pie and the blues. There are plenty of uses for a heavy duty tarp. The original use for the tarp may still be the most common—frequently a heavy duty tarp serves as shelter during camping trips and inclement weather for the outdoor adventurer. Truck tarps are also quite common. They protect loads of lumber—big thick tree trunks from the Great Northwest and the Great North Woods, trunks that spur woodchips and debris from the trucks that can easily distract drivers and even damage windshields. Truck tarps protect against flying bark and pine needles and cover all other sorts of cargo too, from pickup beds filled with furniture to eighteen wheelers carrying cars. The tarpaulin is frequently seen in construction, especially in long term resurfacing projects. Since these projects are typically ongoing during the summer, don't be surprised if you see a home's side covered in blue plastic. There are other colors, such as green, brown and silver, although the most common is blue. There is something majestic about being inside a newly constructed home during a storm and hearing the flap of a blue tarpaulin against the windows, protecting them from leakage. I felt so safe, so untouchable and so comforted, like a small kitten in its mother's litter, or something to that effect. The tarpaulin was like a house-blanket, that kept it warm and dry. A tarpaulin is something that every home should have, much like WD-40 and duct tape. Because more often than not, you'll find yourself wishing you had a large covering for any kind of project or backyard work. Unless you're not handy. And then you should feel ashamed of yourself. What's a person supposed to do in this world if they can't build their own cabinet? If they can't lay a stone walkway? If you can't do that stuff either you're really rich and entitled or you're just kinda dumb, or at least lazy and unwilling to learn. And isn't learning what we're really here for? To work good and eat and drink with friends and love and lay tarps over stones and take pride in our projects.
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