[sotd] A Short History of Manufactured Fibers [March 6, 2006]

  • From: "The Site of the Day" <sotd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: sotd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 11:01:41 -0400

        Site of the Day for Monday, March 6, 2006 

        A Short History of Manufactured Fibers

Today's web page, from the American Fiber Manufacturers Association, offers
a concise guide extolling the history and virtues of manmade fibers. Gentle
Subscribers wondering about the cellulose and petrochemical composition of
many of their garments will find an easy review of the manufactured
materials which have come to dominate the textile industry in the past
hundred years.

"A mere century ago, rayon -- the first manufactured fiber -- was
developed. The secrets of fiber chemistry for countless applications had
begun to emerge. ... Manufactured fibers now are put to work in modern
apparel, home furnishings, medicine, aeronautics, energy, industry, and
more. Fiber engineers can combine, modify and tailor fibers in ways far
beyond the performance limits of fiber drawn from the silkworm cocoon,
grown in the fields, or spun from the fleece of animals." - from the
website

The web page provides a summary of the evolution of manufactured fibers,
from the the initial discovery of the properties of wood-based cellulose to
those derived from petrochemicals. Highlighted are the creation of nylon,
the emergence of "poly..." type fibers and the impact of the space program
in pushing innovations in artificial textiles and materials. Those with a
particularly keen interest in man-made fibers can unearth more detailed
information, including microphotographic images, about specific fibers,
such as one of the latest in the cooked-up-in-the-lab entrants --
microfiber -- by following the links at the bottom of the page.

Slip over to the web page for an overview of the 20th century revolution in
manufactured fibers at:

http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/history.htm

  A.M. Holm
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