I totally forgot about the cardboard that Dad’s shirts came in! Yes, that was great construction board for all sorts of signs and projects! Before hot-melt, glue, too.
I worked in paper mills in the early and mid 80s starting up and servicing kraft recovery boilers. That stuff did STINK to high heaven. It permeated your whole body and you couldn’t wash the smell out. We used to put apple cores in our cars to capture the odor, but I don’t think they did anything. I haven’t been in a mill for about 50 years and I believe they have done a lot to deodorize the process.
Amazing that we both had paper mill experiences on both coasts of this great country (I’m on the east coast). How I hope God has not given up on the USA.