Developed by the DuPont chemical company, nylon was launched in 1939. It
was the first truly man-made fibre, as it is made entirely of
petrochemicals. Depending on how it is processed, nylon can be formed
into the gossamer-like threads used in stockings or into thick
toothbrush bristles.
History
In the 1920s the DuPont chemical company decided that basic research was the way forward - unusual for the time - and in 1928 opened a research laboratory for the development of artificial materials. They invited Wallace Carothers, a brilliant chemist who was a professor at Harvard at the time, to lead the research team.
Carothers and his assistants experimented with petrochemicals to produce synthetic polymers that could be drawn into threads. From these experiments Carothers selected a carbon and alcohol based mixture for further development. This led to the invention of nylon and marked the beginning of a new era in synthetic fibres.
DuPont unveiled the world's first synthetic fibre at the 1939 New York World's Fair as the fibre of the future, in keeping with the fair's theme of "The World of Tomorrow". Nylon was given marketing slogans like "as strong as steel, as fine as a spider's web."
DuPont built the first full-scale nylon plant in Seaford, Delaware, and began commercial production in late 1939. The company decided not to register nylon as a trademark; according to DuPont they "chose to allow the word to enter the American vocabulary as a synonym for stockings, and from the time it went on sale to the general public in May 1940, nylon hosiery was a huge success: women lined up at stores across the country to obtain the precious goods." The first year on the market, DuPont sold 64 million pairs of stockings.
In the 1920s the DuPont chemical company decided that basic research was the way forward - unusual for the time - and in 1928 opened a research laboratory for the development of artificial materials. They invited Wallace Carothers, a brilliant chemist who was a professor at Harvard at the time, to lead the research team.
Carothers and his assistants experimented with petrochemicals to produce synthetic polymers that could be drawn into threads. From these experiments Carothers selected a carbon and alcohol based mixture for further development. This led to the invention of nylon and marked the beginning of a new era in synthetic fibres.
DuPont unveiled the world's first synthetic fibre at the 1939 New York World's Fair as the fibre of the future, in keeping with the fair's theme of "The World of Tomorrow". Nylon was given marketing slogans like "as strong as steel, as fine as a spider's web."
DuPont built the first full-scale nylon plant in Seaford, Delaware, and began commercial production in late 1939. The company decided not to register nylon as a trademark; according to DuPont they "chose to allow the word to enter the American vocabulary as a synonym for stockings, and from the time it went on sale to the general public in May 1940, nylon hosiery was a huge success: women lined up at stores across the country to obtain the precious goods." The first year on the market, DuPont sold 64 million pairs of stockings.
With the outbreak of World War II, nylon proved its versatility and went
to war in the form of parachutes - replacing Asian silk - and tents.
Nylon stockings were scarce during the war, but as soon as the war ended the reconversion of nylon production back to civilian uses was started. After years of privation, when the first small quantities of postwar nylon stockings were advertised to an eager public, New York department stores had to cope with stampedes of shoppers!
Nylon stockings were scarce during the war, but as soon as the war ended the reconversion of nylon production back to civilian uses was started. After years of privation, when the first small quantities of postwar nylon stockings were advertised to an eager public, New York department stores had to cope with stampedes of shoppers!
DuPont marketed nylon as a versatile fibre, suitable for dress fabrics, blouses and knitwear.
It was clear, however, that nylon had found its niche in the lingerie
market. Its popularity was cemented in the 50s as nylon's properties
lent it perfectly to the full-bodied petticoats required for the
bouffant skirts of the New Look.
Characteristics
- Variation of lustre: nylon has the ability to be very lustrous, semilustrous or dull.
- Durability: its high tenacity fibres are used for seatbelts, tyre cords, ballistic cloth and other uses.
- Excellent abrasion resistance.
- Highly resilient (nylon fabrics are heat-set)
- Paved the way for easy-care garments
- High resistance to insects, fungi, animals, as well as moulds, mildew, rot and many chemicals
- Melts instead of burning
http://tuppencehapennyvintage.blogspot.com/2011/02/history-of-synthetics-nylon.html
I actually have a book published about the history of nylon with a cover made out of--what else, nylon! Also a commemorative medal. There seems to have been a very dedicated campaign by the cotton industry to make cotton "the fabric of your life." Stressing the "natural feel" of cotton vs. the evil synthetic, chemical, (maybe even toxic!!) world of nylon really pushed nylon completely away by the mid-80's Scaring women to either line their nylon panties with cotton or wear cotton only to avoid yeast and other nasty fungal infections blamed on nylon, saw jogging shorts and tops the last of the "acceptable" nylon that could be worn in the 80's. Ironically all the "new" and "miracle" sports fabrics today that "wick moisture" away from your body do exactly what nylon tricot did all along. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet. Synthetics, particularly nylon, dry faster and feel much better. But does anyone listen to me? Well, you, maybe!
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