History of Textiles

History…

•Textiles-defined as the yarns that are woven or knitted to make fabrics

•Textiles date back to the Stone Age around 100,000 years ago whereas cotton use dates back to 5,000 B.C.

•Silk Road in ancient world = a way to sell textiles

•Although simple clothing was worn at first, dyeing methods developed and clothing started to become more elaborate

Places and what was developed•Ancient Egypt = flax•Ancient India = cotton•Ancient China = silk•Ancient Japan = hemp, method of

weaving, cloth made from bark fibers

Flax

Cotton

Silk

Textiles• Textiles can be derived from several sources: animals, plants

and minerals are the traditional sources of materials• Petroleum-derived synthetic fibers were introduced in the

mid-20th century. • Animal textiles are the most prevalent in human society• Plant textiles, the most common being cotton, can also be

made from straw, grass and bamboo. • Mineral textiles include glass fiber, metal fiber and asbestos.• The recent introduction of synthetic textiles has greatly

expanded the array of options available for fabric manufacturers, both in terms of garment versatility and usability.

History of Nylon• Synthetic fabric that was invented in 1938 by

Wallace Carothers • Direct result of WWII – parachutes were

originally silk • The term “nylon” is a generic descriptor for

the family of synthetic polymers known as polyamides

• Used in the 91940s for stockings and tooth brushes

• Now today used in many things such as guitar strings, tooth brushes and carpets

Recent Methods for Making Textiles Today

•Weaving •Knitting•Interlacing•Lacing•Felting

Today•By the 14th century, fabrics were being

woven on the hand looms of the Mediterranean countries in practically all the basic structures known to modern artisans

•No change in fundamental processes since that time

•Ways to manufacture textiles that have not changed: plain weave, satin weave and twill

•Equipment and machines have sped production up