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The History of the Textile Industry

Early Times & Antiquity
  • Around 30,000 years ago: First textile finds such as braided plant fibers and animal hair.
  • Egypt, Mesopotamia, China: Early advanced civilizations developed techniques such as weaving, spinning and dyeing.
  • Silk Road: From around 100 BC, silk was exported from China to Europe - a valuable luxury fabric.

Middle Ages
  • Textile production was mainly organized by hand - often in cottage industries or small workshops.
  • Wool production dominated in Europe, especially in England and Flanders.
  • Guilds regulated the quality and organization of craftsmanship.

Industrial Revolution
  • England as the center of the revolution.
  • Important inventions
    Spinning Jenny (1764) - Spinning several threads at the same time.
    Water Frame (1769) - Mechanical spinning machine, water-powered.
    Power Loom (1785) - Mechanical loom.
  • Textile industry became the first industrialized sector.
  • Emergence of factories, urbanization, child labour - social challenges.

Textile Robot

19th & Early 20th Century
  • Further development of chemical dyeing methods.
  • Use of synthetic fibers such as rayon (viscose).
  • Globalization begins: raw materials such as cotton come from colonies.

After The Second World War
  • Synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon dominate.
  • Production increasingly shifts to countries with low wages (e.g. Asia).
  • Emergence of fast fashion: fast, cheap production - but often at the expense of the environment and working conditions.

Today & Future
  • Trends: Sustainability, recycling, fair working conditions, techno-textiles.
  • Digital production, 3D printing, smart clothing (e.g. with sensors).
  • Criticism of overproduction and labor exploitation - slow fashion movement.

Source (2025): ChatGPT - History of the Textile Industry

Word for the day

"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance."
Coco Chanel (1883-1971)
French Fashion Designer

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