Synthetics in the 1920's?

[NicolettaRose]

Where any synthetics made/used widely in the 1920's? or did they come later?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Rayon appeared back then, though it isn't strictly 'synthetic', as it's made from cellulose (wood pulp).

.

 

[NicolettaRose]

Ahhh interesting. I know they make a fabric today from wood pulp called 'Modal'

 

[LizzieMaine]

Celanese was introduced in the mid-twenties -- an acetate fiber made from cellulose, and marketed as "Artificial Silk."

 

[Amelie]

yeah, like said, there is a difference betwen chemical-cellulosic fibers, and synthetic fibers

For the first one, the process that is called viscose process was invented quite early in the first part of the 19th century, but took some time to appear in people wardrobes. This process is not only use to make viscose, but also modal, which are quite similar fabrics with the same "breathing" qualities. Another one, developped near 1905 is the acetate process, so I guess you won't expect to see acetate in the first part of the 20s fashion since from research to wardrobe, things tend to take their time back then. (there is two other processes, but not important here since they concern cupro and lyocell lol)

as for synthetic fibers,the first researchs on molecular fibers were made from 1925, and the first real results were obtained betwen 1931 and 1941, so you really won't find them in 1920's fashion (were talking about polyester, nylon and acrylic for the first ones to appear). The first attempt in clothing for those fabric was really with the stockings, which begin just a tiny bit in the forties, but the big start was really in the fifties. In the forties, the more common stockings for the average people were the rayon ones (viscose).

I think you could say that except for stockings synthetic fibers appered in a timid way in the mid fifties.

hope this helps

 

[NicolettaRose]

What about Dacron Poly? When did this first come out? Was it the 1940's or the 1950's?

 

[Viviene]

"Polyester is a plastic, invented in Britain in the early 1940s by two gentlemen working with synthetic polymers. In the 1950s, the new textile took off, becoming popular for its easy care, drape, and versatility.

In the United States, Dupont is one of the major manufacturers of PET and has been making Dacron polyester since 1950. Dupont has researched the properties of polyester extensively and devised a number of uses well beyond textiles, such as mylar and other polyester films."


From this site: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-polyester.htm