betula manus - Handgefertigte Griffe aus Birkenrinde

Wherever birch was present, indigenous peoples have been using its bark since the Palaeolithic Age:

Especially in Northern Europe, birch-bark is used today as a material for handles, in particular for knives. (We have developed this classic insertion technology and made it available for today's modern use.)
Containers for storing foodstuffs: perishables such as fish, meat or fruit can be stored for a long time; grain or bread are protected from mould or pests, and keep for a very long period of time. Even "Oetzi" the Iceman, the well-preserved mummified man from about 3300 BC, found in a melting glacier in the Tyrolean Alps in 1991, stored his supplies in a basket made of birch-bark.
Birch-bark has been documented in many cultures as boat-building material. The most well known are the original North American canoes: fast, manoeuvrable and yet remarkably stable, ultra-light structures, which can only be reproduced to a similar perfection with highly modern composite materials, such as epoxy resin and carbon fibre.
Arrow tips were glued and broken crockery vessels repaired as far back as the Neolithic Age using birch-bark tar; a strong adhesive derived from the birch-bark.

The above list of product possibilities could be continuously expanded: roofing or insulation material, rucksacks, footwear, writing "paper", insect repellent, leather care – not forgetting the wonderful possibilities in the areas of medical and hygienic use.

Wigwam typically made of birch-bark. It may not look very beautiful to us, but it is simple and quite effective. Completely waterproof, insulated and flexible. © Steph & Adam

A letter written on birch-bark. The earliest recorded writings date from the 11th century with more recent examples up to the 15th century. On display at the Novgorod National Museum. © quinn.anya

Traditionelles Gewürzgefäß aus Birkenrinde

Traditional spice container made of birch-bark. The conserving properties protect food from spoiling.

"Oetzi's" arrow quiver made from birch-bark. Keeping the arrows dry and safe was a major necessity for accuracy and shooting precision for a successful hunt.
© Archäologischer Dienst des Kantons Bern

Birch-bark used as boat-building material allowing a fast, manoeuvrable and yet remarkably stable, ultra-light structure.© veggiefrogg canoe from the Canoe Museum in Ontario (Canada)