Wood block pavement may have originated in Russia in the 14th-century, but it gained prominence in the 1820s and 1830s as a road building alternative to the irregularly surfaced cobblestone streets common during that era. Wood block was also favoured because stone was scarce and wood was abundant. Additionally, horse traffic reportedly made less noise on wood-surfaced streets. However, the drawbacks of Nicolson pavement include slippery surfaces when wet or icy. Parquet is a geometric mosaic of wood pieces used for decorative effect the word derives from old French "parchet" meaning a small enclosed space. Crown cut and Quarter sawn are the two ways wood strip, planks and blocks are cut from tree logs. Quarter sawn timber is more dent resistant as it is cut diagonally plus 50% more stable.