FABRIC HISTORY

Tens of thousands of years ago, early humans learned to obtain fibers from wild plants, such as wild flax, hemp, and nettles. Such fibers could be spun into thread and made into cloth textiles. People began to weave fabric during the Neolithic Era, a period that began around 8000 BC. Evidence of early weaving comes from fragments of flax fibers found in Switzerland. In some cultures, people made cloth without weaving, by pounding sheets of bark to produce a soft, flexible textile. The development of agriculture led to the domestication of fiber plants, such as cotton, hemp, and flax. Simultaneously alternative sources of yarn invented from natural, animal, mineral, chemical sources.

They are: -

• · Animal base - from sheep, rabbit, silkworm - wool, silk etc…
• · Mining of minerals - asbestos, glass etc…
• · Chemical - synthetics origin - Nylon, Polyester etc...

These fibers are converted into yarns by menace of spinning and then woven / knitted to produce fabric. The following is the history of the fabric, which is classified according to the manufacturing technology.

Ø History of weaving:

Fabric can be made in a variety of ways, such as knotting, knitting, and braiding, but most cloth is made by weaving. Weaving is usually done on a loom that holds long threads (the warp) under uniform tension so that other threads (the weft) can be inserted over and under them. Many different types and patterns of weaving are possible, depending on the fiber used and the arrangement of the threads. Ancient Egyptians wove their earliest textiles from flax, which produced linen; in southern Europe, the earliest textiles came from wool; in China, from silk; and in India, Peru, and Cambodia, from cotton

Fabric is woven with the help of machine called Loom. Weaving is an ancient technology to make cloth primarily for protection from weather and later on for wearing purposes. This technology is originated from weaving on handlooms. In the modern era, manufacturing of fabrics started with power looms and subsequently with hi-tech / sophisticated looms called shuttle less weaving machines.

NATURAL FIBERS

History of the principal natural fibers used in textiles for apparel and home fashion and the growth is as follows.

EST. DATE	FIBER	BACKGROUND AND PRODUCTION
5,000+ BC	FLAX:	o Generally considered to be the oldest natural textile fiber. o Fine linen was used as burial shrouds for the Egyptian pharaohs o Largest producer: Soviet States; other large producers include Poland, Germany, Belgium and France. Largest exporters are Northern Ireland and Belgium.
3,000+ BC	COTTON:	o Worn by Egyptians earlier than 2,500 BC. o Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793 revolutionized the processing of cotton. o The development of the power loom in 1884 brought significant improvements and variations to cotton fabrics. o Major producers: United States, Soviet States, China and India. Lesser producers include Pakistan, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico Iran and Sudan.
3,000 BC	WOOL:	o There are 40 different breeds of sheep, which produce approximately 200 types of wool of varying grades. o Major producers include: Australia, New Zealand, Soviet States, China, South Africa, and Argentina.
2,600 BC	SILK:	o Silk culture began about 1725 BC, sponsored by the wife of China's emperor. o Silk is made from two continuous filaments cemented together and used to form the cocoon of the silkworm. o The Chinese closely guarded secrets of cultivation and fabric manufacturing for about 3,000 years. o India learned of silk culture when a Chinese princess married an Indian prince. o The major producer and exporter of silk is Japan.