For what used silk, except clothes and interior items

Silk is the most mysterious and attractive fabric in the world. In this material, everything is amazing: history, the mode of production and the possibility of application.

Little weavers

Silk threads are created in a very unusual way. They are produced by mulberry silkworms - the only insect completely domesticated by man. Caterpillars feed on leaves of only one tree - mulberry, then cocoons are spun, from which, after a specific treatment, filaments of a length of almost a kilometer are unwound. Weaving them in 8-12 additions, everyone gets their favorite silk.

The use of tissue is very diverse. For its long history, matter has served not only to update the fashionable wardrobe. You will be very surprised to learn why you used silk, except clothes.

History of magic threads

Silk is known from ancient times. Produce it started in ancient China. The first archaeological find dates from 5000-3000 BC. E. Its history is shrouded in secrets and legends. For a long time, the value of cutting fine material was several times higher than the price of gold. Around the silk unfolded the main historical events of several eras, and the famous "Silk Road" became an artery that supports the development and livelihoods of several states.

Application area

For several millennia the price of silk was so high that many monarchs could not afford to dress in it. In the Middle Ages, it served as an international currency, it was presented as a tribute and diplomatic gifts.

The use of silk quickly went beyond the history of the costume. Threads have a number of unique properties explaining why and for what used silk, except clothes:

• Silk, though thin, but strong as a wire, and very elastic, so it was actively used by surgeons and fishermen, replacing the modern line;
• Silk has unique thermoscopic properties - it gives a cool in the heat and warms in the cold, so silk wool has long been used to make warm dressing gowns of Chinese officials and court beauties;
• Thin and strong silk was the basis for Far Eastern writing, replacing paper.

And from it did screens, partitions, fans and hats. It's amazing what silk was used for, except clothes!

Is it synthetic?

Modern silk fabrics are in great demand among consumers. By volume of production they are on the second place in the world (after cotton). However, the proportion of natural silk is only 2% of the total, all the rest is artificial (viscose or acetate).

Silk of natural origin is not cheap, and it would be extremely unpleasant to buy artificial material instead. Let's list the main ways to check the fabric for naturalness:

1. Checking with fire is not a simple, but the most reliable way. When firing, natural fabric smells of wool, and artificial - synthetic or burnt paper.
2. The simplest and most accessible way of testing in any situation is based on tactile sensations. When you touch the matter, she quickly acquires body temperature, for which she was given the nickname "second skin".
3. Natural silk practically does not crumble. For a quick check, question the fabric in the fist and release after a few seconds. If the matter is artificial on it there will be a clear cobweb of creases, and on natural - hardly appreciable.

However, do not think of artificial silk as a low-quality product. Modern textile production has reached a level where man-made substitutes can compete with their natural counterparts. Viscose or acetate material can be used for the same as for which silk was used. In addition to clothing, it is, first of all, home textiles: bed linens, curtains, bedspreads, tablecloths. The consumption of fabric for sewing these items is great, and here the main advantage of artificial silk will come to the rescue - low cost.