On October 27, 1938, a significant milestone in textile history occurred when the creators of nylon officially unveiled the synthetic fiber to an audience of 4,000 women. This announcement marked the beginning of nylon”s journey from an innovative material to a ubiquitous presence in our daily lives.
Nylon is now so integrated into modern life that many people may not even realize its presence. From the bristles of toothbrushes to various clothing items, nylon is nearly everywhere. Contrary to what some might think, nylon is not a natural fiber like cotton or wool; it is a synthetic creation that has evolved significantly since its inception.
The story of nylon begins with Wallace Carothers, a talented chemist whose work at DuPont was pivotal. In the 1920s, the industrial landscape began to change with companies like General Electric and Bell Telephone establishing research laboratories. In December 1926, Charles Stine, the director of DuPont”s Chemical Department, advocated for funding dedicated to “pure science work.” This approach was quite revolutionary for a profit-driven company.
Initially, DuPont struggled to attract academic scientists due to concerns about the limitations of conducting pure research in an industrial setting. However, Stine eventually persuaded Carothers, then a young organic chemistry lecturer at Harvard University, to join DuPont”s efforts. Carothers was particularly interested in polymerization, the process of combining short molecules into long-chain macromolecules, which became crucial to the development of nylon.
By April 1930, Carothers” team had created the first polyester, but challenges remained, including its low melting point and water solubility, which hindered its utility as a viable synthetic fiber. Under the direction of Elmer Bolton, who succeeded Stine, the focus shifted from polyesters to polyamides, leading to the creation of the first nylon fiber on May 24, 1934.
Over the following year, Carothers” team narrowed their research to two polyamide options. While Carothers favored polyamide 5,10, Bolton preferred polyamide 6,6 due to easier access to its raw materials. As Carothers” mental health declined, Bolton directed resources toward perfecting nylon 6,6. By 1938, DuPont was preparing to produce nearly 12 million pounds of nylon annually.
During the development phase, nylon was referred to by several names, including Yarn 66 and Rayon 66. Ultimately, the name “nylon” was chosen, partly to avoid trademark complications. Remarkably, DuPont chose not to trademark the name, aiming for nylon to be perceived as a generic material.
DuPont strategically decided to target the ladies” fashion market for nylon, building anticipation through media reports of its development. Despite the tragic passing of Carothers in 1937, the official launch event on October 27, 1938, drew significant attention. Nonetheless, it took another 18 months before nylon stockings became available to the general public, initially limited to women associated with DuPont.
As World War II began, DuPont redirected its nylon production for military use, replacing Japanese silk in items such as parachutes and uniforms. After the war, consumer demand surged for nylon products, leading to “nylon riots” as women flocked to stores for stockings. By 1951, DuPont licensed nylon production to other manufacturers to meet the growing demand.
During the 1950s and 1960s, nylon became synonymous with fashion, dominating the textile industry. By 1965, synthetic fibers, including nylon, constituted a significant portion of global textile production. Although nylon”s popularity has waned in recent years, it remains a crucial component of the fiber market, accounting for around 5% of global fiber usage, while polyester leads with nearly 60%.
