Short answers, pulled from the story.
Cornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest invented the first wind-powered sawmill in 1593. This invention converted logs into planks thirty times faster than previous manual methods. The innovation transformed wood from a scarce material into a standardized commodity for mass production.
In the United States and Canada, the term lumber refers specifically to milled boards while timber describes standing or felled trees. The American definition of lumber as processed wood emerged in the 17th century. In contrast, Britain and other Commonwealth nations use timber for both concepts and rarely use the word lumber in relation to wood.
The standard dimensions of a 2x4 board changed from 2 inches by 4 inches to 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches by 1964. A 1964 test by Popular Mechanics magazine revealed that the smaller dimensions reduced the compressive strength of the board by over 10 percent. The industry justified the change as a deliberate standardization effort to save material and increase efficiency.
Fungi require moisture content above 25 percent to thrive and can destroy wood in a matter of years. The seasoning process dries the wood to remove bound moisture to prevent these defects. The industry has developed methods to protect wood including pressure-treating with chemicals like chromated copper arsenate.
One cubic meter of lumber stores roughly one tonne of CO2. Wood is a renewable resource that sequesters carbon dioxide during its growth. The manufacturing of wood uses less energy and results in less air and water pollution than steel and concrete.
Laminated veneer lumber or LVL is created by bonding layers of wood veneers together. This process results in beams that are stronger and more flexible than solid wood. The industry uses machine grading and evaluation to ensure the safety and reliability of these engineered products.