MAH: The Industrial Revolution and Synthetic Fabrics

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the 18th and 19th centuries saw an explosion of new materials and fabrics, particularly synthetic fabrics.

The Birth of Synthetic Fabrics

In the late 19th century, the development of synthetic materials marked a new era in textile production. The invention of nylon by Wallace Carothers in the 1930s revolutionized the world of fashion. Nylon was the first fully synthetic fiber made from petroleum-based products, and its introduction led to the creation of a wide variety of polyester, acetate, and rayon fabrics.

These materials offered durability, flexibility, and resistance to wrinkles, all of which made them perfect for the growing demand for affordable, mass-produced clothing. The popularity of synthetic fabrics continued to rise, and by the mid-20th century, materials like polyester and spandex had become household names.