The future of fabrics rest within our imagination!
For thousands of years the only fibers available for textiles were natural fibers created by Mother Nature. Clothing and household items were woven from animal, protein or plant fibers such as wool, cashmere, silk, linen and cotton. A little over a century ago the first manufactured fiber became available through modern technology and chemistry. Rayon is the first of many manufactured fibers used in today’s modern textiles. Amazingly, Rayon is made by manufacturing wood pulp in to a fiber.
Many of the modern fibers are engineering wonders that perform better than natural fibers ever could. Everything from polyester that wicks moisture away from your body to Gortex that breathes – and let’s not forget a material called Kevlar that is used in everything from sails for a yacht to bullet-proof vests for the military.
In just our lifetime, materials have evolved in ways that have astounded the mind. In the 50’s it was the creation of wash & wear. The 60’s & 70’s brought materials modified for comfort, fire resistance, reduced static cling, released dirt, had better dye ability, and richer deeper colors.
Innovation remains in the forefront of the textile industry with even more advanced manufactured fibers. Modern fibers are now more diverse and creative than ever with polyester that mimics the look of suede, rayon that feels like silk and cotton that doesn’t wrinkle. Recently we have even seen garments made from bamboo and recycled plastic water bottles.
A look at what’s happened in the last century.
- 1910 Rayon
- 1924 Acetate
- 1930 Nylon
- 1946 Metallic
- 1950 Acrylic
- 1953 Polyester
- 1953 Triacetate
- 1992 Lycell
The future of fabrics is limited only by our imagination!
Karl Huie
Pacific Heights Cleaners in San Francisco and Sausalito is your green dry cleaner serving you with non toxic alternatives.
The first dry cleaner in Marin and San Francisco to be green business certified by the Bay Area Green Business Program and San Francisco Environment. Using the Wet Clean dry cleaning system that is EPA approved as environmentally friendly.
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