| Most of the silk that is used for weaving into textiles | | | | third largest producer in the world, bested only by |
| comes from cocoons made by larvae of the Bombyx | | | | China and Japan. |
| mori, or mulberry silkworm that is raised in captivity. | | | | Silk production came to the Americas as early as the |
| This fabric has its lustrous appearance because of a | | | | 1600s when American colonists tried their hand at |
| prism-like structure of the fibers that refracts incoming | | | | producing silk, as did Shakers living in what is now |
| light at several angles. Silk fabric was first made in | | | | Kentucky and some New England residents. In the 19th |
| China from as long ago as 3,500 BCE. Only kings | | | | century, European workers in Paterson, New Jersey |
| could wear and give silk in ancient China, but use of | | | | brought silk production there, making Paterson a center |
| the fabric eventually spread throughout Asia. | | | | of U.S. production of silk. |
| Approximately 1,000 years B.C.E. the silk trade | | | | Silk is strong because of the amount of the amino acid |
| stretched into the Middle East, North Africa, India and | | | | called glycine in it, which allows the fibers to pack tightly |
| Europe. It had already become an international trading | | | | and strongly. Silk's tensile strength is because of |
| item at this time. The trade routes running from Europe | | | | interceded hydrogen bonds, which resist even most |
| to Asia were known collectively as the Silk Road. | | | | acids. Sulfuric acid, however, will dissolve silk. Because |
| Though Chinese emperors tried to keep knowledge of | | | | of its wonderful properties, silk used to be used for |
| the production of silk secret, the techniques | | | | making blanket filling, parachutes, and even bicycle tires. |
| nonetheless spread to Korea by 200 B.C.E., and by | | | | The cultivation of silk involves silk moths laying eggs on |
| 300 C. E., silk was produced in India. | | | | special paper. When the eggs hatch, the larvae are |
| China is the largest producer of silk today with India | | | | given mulberry leaves to eat. After about five weeks, |
| coming in second. However India is the largest user of | | | | the larvae are ready to begin spinning their co coon, |
| silk today. Brides traditionally wear silk saris during | | | | which they do on a straw frame placed over the tray |
| marriage ceremonies in some parts of India, and silk is | | | | where the larvae live. The silk is coated in a substance |
| commonly worn to festive occasions in India. | | | | called seracin, and it solidifies as soon as it comes in |
| This comfortable and useful fabric was known | | | | contact with air. Silkworm larva can spin a mile of |
| throughout the Roman Empire. Though the emperor | | | | filament into a cocoon in two or three days time. The |
| Tiberius passed laws forbidding men to wear silk | | | | cocoon totally encases the larva and when the |
| garments (because it was simply too luxurious and | | | | cocoon is finished the larva are killed in heated water |
| sophisticated), this did little to stop the wearing of silk. | | | | and the silk is collected. |
| Venice was a center of trade, and because of this | | | | This is the story of how fine silk comes about. Silk is |
| many growers settled in Italy. By the 1200s C.E. Italian | | | | one of the finest fabrics you can buy. Bedding and |
| silk had a reputation as truly luxurious fabric. Silk made | | | | sleepwear made of silk is an affordable luxury that will |
| in the province of Como became the most valuable in | | | | give you one of the little pleasures of life. |
| the world, and by the late 19th century, Italy was the | | | | |