This file is a three part series published in Resin Review in 1957: 1. Background of the varnish industry; 2. Natural resins; and 3. Synthetic resins. There is evidence that the ancient Egyptians used varnishes at least 2,500 years ago. Depending on the oil content, varnishes are referred to as short, medium, or long-oil. Varnishes are divided into two classes, namely: spirit (solutions of resins or gums in solvent) (These vehicles dry by evaporation of their solvent); and, oleoresinous which are solutions of resins in vegetable oils (These films become dry when the oil undergoes one of the following chemical changes: oxidation; oxidation and condensation; or condensation, oxidation, and polymerization). Natural resins consist of fossil resins such as: Congo, Kauri, Boea, Pontianak, amber, and recent resins. Recent resins consist of: dammar, rosin, East India, soft Manilas, accroides, elemi-mastic, sandarac, and synthetic resins. Synthetic resins in use at the time of this article are: ester gum, alkyd, phenolformaldehyde, maleic, coumarone, urea-formaldehyde, polystyrene, vinyl, acrylic, epoxy, chlorinated diphenyl, terpene, petroleum resins, and cellulose derivatives.