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Organdy Invented
In 1921, organdy was invented by Georges Heberlein, of Switzerland, who treated cellulose with sulfuric acid to create organdy, which is the sheerest and crispest cotton variation. organdy has three different finishes: stiff, semi-stiff and soft, which each have different uses. Soft and semi-stiff are commonly used for summer apparel, being cool and lightweight, whilst stiff is used for dresses and curtains. -
Sewing Machine Made Electronic
By 1921, the sewing was made fully electronic, harnessing the capabilities and efficiency of being electrically powered. The first rudimentary electronic sewing machine was put on the market in 1889 by 'Singer.' By 1905, they had become popular in households across America and by 1921, were almost ubiquitous. The electronic sewing machine enabled at home tailoring and adjustments to be made cheaply and easily, revolutionising the way people approached textiles in the 20th Century. -
Nylon Fabric Invented
In 1938, the company 'DuPont Chemicals' invented nylon, a fabric which was the first synthetic non-cellulose fibre in the textiles industry. It was popularised for use in women's hosiery, as a cheap alternative to silk fabric. It has now been used for everything from mosquito nets to parachutes. The invention of synthetic fibres had an unparalleled impact on the fashion industry, giving clothing accessibility and affordability. -
Modern Pile Fabric Invented
Pile fabric, or faux fur, was created to imitate the warmth and texture of expensive and unsustainable animal fur. The introduction of acrylic polymers in the late '40s to early '50s, allowed the textiles industry to mass-produce convincing faux fur. Chanel and Fendi have both utilised faux fur in their collections. The invention of pile fabric changed the face of the fashion industry, placing major emphasis on animal welfare and rights. -
Fibre-Reactive Dye Invented
In 1954, the first fibre-reactive dye was invented, revolutionising the textiles industry, particularly, the way in which cellulose fibres, like cotton or flax, are dyed. The dye forms a covalent bond with the fibre, meaning the dye molecule becomes a part of the fabric. This has allowed fabrics to be permanently dyed so that they are safe to use repeatedly in the washing machine. -
Invention of Spandex
Invented by chemist Joseph Shivers, this lightweight, synthetic fabric improves the performance and quality of swimwear, allowing swimmers to be more streamlined and time-efficient in the water. It has very low absorbency, poor heat conductivity and good resistance to chemicals such as bleach, allowing it to be utilised for Olympic sportswear (e.g. cycling, swimming) and body shapewear. -
Fabric Pleating Machine
The fabric pleating machine was invented in Germany in 1968 and was used to pleat, kilt or goffer textile fabrics. It revolutionised the textile production industry, enabling manufacturers to easily incorporate aesthetically pleasing and detailed techniques into their designs. -
Superwash Acid Treatment Invented
The Superwash Acid Treatment, invented in 1970, is a chemical bath treatment applied to wool, which coats the fibre with a polymer which prevents felting or shrinking and allows the wool to have greater durability. This has had a significant impact on the textiles industry, greatly improving the quality of wool manufacturing and enhancing the fibre's properties. -
Genetically Modified Cotton
Genetically Modified (GM) cotton was first grown in Australia in 1996, making the cotton plant more resistant to weeds and insects, reducing the need for pesticide use and therefore, enhancing sustainability. GM cotton can also be pre-coloured, meaning that the cotton does not need to be dyed and once refined, is ready for manufacturing. -
3D Printed Clothing
The 3D printer prints various layers of filament to create a 3D object. Dannit Peleg, Iris Van Herpen and threeASFOUR have used 3D printers to design clothing, using a filament called 'filaflex,' which makes the 3D-printed fabric durable, flexible and practical. It is also sustainable, as the American Chemical Council is already investing millions into plastic recycling, which would enable consumers to re-3D-print designs with the same filament and to make the process eco-friendly.
