print email comment close A Short History of Manufactured Fibers URL: http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/history.htm Description: Overview of the development of synthetic fibers from the "first patent for 'artificial silk' [that] was granted in ... 1855," to the 1992 introduction of lyocell.  Highlights include the development of rayon, nylon, and polyester. Also includes a brief discussion of safety (flammability) and energy issues. (By 1973, "the industry was using but 1% of the Nation's petroleum supply to provide two-thirds of all fibers used by American textile mills.") Includes a timeline. From the American Fiber Manufacturers Association. Publisher: American Fiber Manufacturers Association Library of Congress Subject Headings: Textile fibers, Synthetic LII Database Information: Record 20071 created by Maria Brandt on 12/15/2005 Last modification on 01/04/2006 Published: 01/05/2006   Funding agency: California State Library LII Item ID: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20071