| Silk may be just another fabric to most of | | | | production. However, it is because of this |
| us. But the truth is, silk is a very unique | | | | epidemic that much research was done on the |
| fabric that has many activists up in arms. | | | | silkworm that ultimately led to more advances |
| We're going to take a look at a brief history | | | | and more modern techniques. Today's silk |
| and some facts about silk in order to give | | | | production is actually a combination of old |
| you a little education on the subject.The | | | | and new techniques.The silkworm itself is |
| actual discovery of silk, from the silkworm | | | | actually a common name for the silk producing |
| species Bombyx mori happened around 2700 BC. | | | | larvae of many different types of moths. The |
| Yes, silk has been around a long time. | | | | larvae is not actually a worm. It is |
| According to Chinese tradition, and you have | | | | technically a caterpillar. There are many |
| to take this with a grain of salt, it was a | | | | species of silkworm that are used in silk |
| 14 year old girl by the name of Hsi Ling Shi | | | | production but the most common of these is |
| who discovered the invention of the first | | | | Bombyx mori. This silkworm is native to |
| silk reel. Silk became a very valuable | | | | China and was brought to Europe and Western |
| commodity and was sought after by many other | | | | Asia around 600 AD. It wasn't until the 18th |
| countries. But it wasn't until 139 BC that | | | | century that it was brought to America.The |
| the world's longest trade route was opened | | | | silk industry is the main industry in |
| from China to The Mediterranean Sea. This | | | | Thailand, Japan and China. Most of the silk |
| route was named the Silk Road for obvious | | | | products you'll find in stores, especially in |
| reasons. By 300 AD the production of silk | | | | the United States, most likely come from one |
| had also reached India and Japan.The | | | | of these three countries. There are |
| manufacture of silk gradually made its way to | | | | basically two methods of producing the silk. |
| Europe and America. During the 18th and 19th | | | | One is by hand reeling, which is mostly done |
| centuries, around the time of the Industrial | | | | in Thailand, and machine reeling, which is |
| Revolution, Europeans had made some great | | | | done in Japan and China.The cost of silk |
| advances in the production of silk. In the | | | | products from these countries is very high |
| 18th century, England became the leading | | | | because of the technology involved, the |
| manufacturer of silk because of the | | | | difficulty of producing silk products due to |
| advancements in technology the country was | | | | dealing with living creatures and the import |
| responsible for. Some of the inventions were | | | | taxes invoked on these items. That is one of |
| improved silk-weaving looms, power looms and | | | | the reasons why silk is such a valued |
| roller printing. In 1870, however, there was | | | | commodity, especially in the United States.In |
| a major setback in silk production. There | | | | the next instalment in this series on silk |
| was an epidemic called Pebrine disease, which | | | | we'll pick up with a more detailed look at |
| was caused by a small parasite. This | | | | silk production in the three main silk |
| epidemic spread like wildfire through the | | | | producing countries. |
| industry, almost completely wiping out silk | | | | |