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The amazing nylon fabric: Why was the 1939 New York World's Fair so obsessed with it?
At the 1939 New York World's Fair, nylon fabric undoubtedly became one of the biggest stars. This is a synthetic polymer invented by DuPont that instantly attracted the attention of many audiences because of its excellent quality and performance. It's billed as the first commercially successful synthetic thermoplastic polymer in human history, and it all started way back in 1927.
DuPont’s nylon invention process
The birth of nylon came from DuPont's long-term research. After many years of hard work, this process finally achieved a complete breakthrough in the manufacturing process in 1938. DuPont chemist Wallace Carothers was responsible for this landmark project. His research initially focused on polymer chemistry, and his future success lay in his careful exploration of the many possibilities of polymers.
Nylon was introduced as "the first man-made organic fiber" made from "coal, air and water" and was as strong as steel and as light as a spider's web.
The debut of nylon
At the 1939 World's Fair, the first demonstration of nylon undoubtedly became the focus of the time. Through a carefully designed marketing strategy, DuPont successfully aroused market enthusiasm and made the public have a strong interest in this new material.
Success at the World Expo
At the show, nylon fabrics were used in a variety of ways, from the first selection of nylon toothbrushes to the subsequent attention-grabbing nylon stockings, which quickly became extremely popular. Sales of nylon stockings reached an astonishing figure of 64 million pairs in 1940, almost instantly becoming a must-have item in women's wardrobes.
Changes during World War II
With the outbreak of World War II, most nylon production was diverted to military use, and packaging, parachutes, tents, etc. entered the army's demand list. This caused the market demand for nylon to rise further, and DuPont's production lines began to expand to adapt to this rapid consumer trend.
The impact and durability of nylon
However, technical challenges came in unexpected ways. Nylon has some inherent shortcomings, such as easy "running" and poor hygroscopicity. These deficiencies require manufacturers to continually tweak formulations or combine nylon with other materials to improve its performance and comfort.
The 1950s was known as the "era of fiber mixing". Pure nylon materials were widely mixed with cotton, polyester and other fibers to meet diversified consumer needs.
Later market development
With the advent of the 1960s to the 1980s, the market position of nylon began to be questioned, and environmental protection issues became increasingly prominent, causing consumers to begin to rethink the true cost of synthetic materials. However, even so, nylon still has a profound impact on popular culture and economic structure. Its application scenarios extend from clothing to scientific exploration. Even the first flag on the moon was made of nylon.
Conclusion
Throughout the history of nylon fabrics, it has not only redefined the boundaries of fashion and technology, but also had a profound impact on global economic development. Therefore, we can’t help but think about what other materials will shine on the same stage in the future and change our way of life?
