In the old days, wood shaving and even popcorn were the packing material of choice.
The reason styrofoam is used is because it's cheaper (main) and it doesn't decompose when wet.
The reason styrofoam is used is because it's cheaper (main) and it doesn't decompose when wet.
Moreover, molasses was shipped from America and not the other way around.
https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/colorful-qu-bec-mai-...
Jumping Jehoshaphat! The stained glass window up front is a memorial to George Jehosephat Mountain, a British-Canadian Anglican bishop. It was installed in 1864 and was the first monument of its kind in Québec. “The window was made in England and shipped to Québec City in barrels of molasses to protect it from damage.” A sticky situation, indeed.
This page seems to back me up.
https://www.heritage-matters.ca/articles/adventures-in-light...
The earliest ecclesiastical windows in Ontario are clear – likely English crown glass, such as is found at the Sharon Temple (1825-31) and the Old Stone Church (1840-53) in Thorah, near Beaverton. This glass was safely shipped from England in barrels of molasses, already cut to size. Coloured glass began arriving shortly thereafter. Using materials at hand, early windows were assembled within wood muntins (strips). Examples include the glorious windows in the chapel of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent, Ottawa (1887), designed by Georges Bouillon and re-erected in the National Gallery of Canada in 1988.