On October 27, 1938, a milestone was reached in the world of textiles with the official announcement of nylon, a synthetic fiber, to an audience of 4,000 women. This event marked the beginning of nylon”s journey into everyday life, as it gradually became an integral part of homes, schools, and workplaces.
Many people might not realize that they encounter nylon daily; for instance, the bristles of most toothbrushes are made from this versatile material. The origins of nylon can be traced back to the innovative work of chemists, particularly Wallace Carothers, whose contributions are crucial to the fiber”s development.
In the 1920s, prominent companies like General Electric and Bell Telephone began investing in industrial research laboratories. During this time, Charles Stine, director of the Chemical Department at DuPont, advocated for funding to support “pure science work.” This approach differed from typical industrial research, which was primarily profit-driven. Stine”s vision ultimately led to the approval of a modified proposal in March 1927.
While many academic scientists were hesitant to join DuPont, fearing their research would be constrained by commercial interests, Carothers eventually accepted the challenge. He joined DuPont as a young chemist and quickly focused on polymerization—the process of combining short molecules into long-chain macromolecules. His work yielded the first polyester in April 1930, although its low melting point posed significant challenges for practical applications.
Under the guidance of Elmer Bolton, the new chemical director at DuPont, Carothers shifted his focus from polyesters to polyamides, leading to the creation of the first nylon fiber on May 24, 1934. This new fiber exhibited the desired elastic properties without the drawbacks associated with polyesters. However, the intermediate used to produce this polymer was difficult to manufacture, presenting a barrier to advancement.
In the subsequent year, Carothers” team narrowed their options to two primary compounds: polyamide 6,6 and polyamide 5,10. Carothers favored the latter, but Bolton identified polyamide 6,6 as the more viable option due to the easier availability of its raw materials. As Carothers” mental health declined, Bolton redirected the company”s resources toward perfecting nylon 6,6, leading to the establishment of a production facility capable of manufacturing around 12 million pounds of nylon annually by 1938.
Initially, the synthetic fiber was known internally by various names, including Yarn 66 and Fibre 66. The final choice of “nylon” remains somewhat unclear, but trademark concerns and pronunciation issues contributed to the decision. Interestingly, DuPont opted not to trademark the name, hoping consumers would perceive nylon as a generic material rather than a branded product.
With a clear vision for nylon”s potential, DuPont targeted the women”s fashion market for its launch. Following earlier rumors and the tragic death of Carothers in 1937, the company sought to reassert control over nylon”s narrative. The unveiling event attracted significant attention, and despite the initial excitement, it took 18 months for nylon stockings to reach the market, initially available only to select individuals connected to DuPont.
By 1940, DuPont had generated substantial sales from nylon, amounting to millions of dollars. Remarkably, even the onset of World War II could not halt nylon”s momentum. The company transitioned its production from consumer goods to military applications, creating parachutes and other essential items. After the war, DuPont swiftly returned to the consumer market, resulting in “nylon riots” as women competed for limited supplies of stockings.
By the 1950s and 1960s, nylon had become synonymous with a fashion revolution, dominating women”s apparel. Although its popularity has waned since then, nylon remains a vital component of the global fiber market, accounting for a significant percentage of production, second only to polyester.
