New Fabrics

1930s

Rayon

Petalspun, washable rayon

Fibre mixes:

Rayon with cotton crepe (including Petalgeen and Spunblend)

Rayon with cotton chamois used in dresses

Rayon taffeta

Rayon, cotton and alpaca used mainly in underwaer

Flannel made from 25% wool mixed with cotton (washable)

1940s

Nylon - manufactured and introduced by DuPont in 1927 and popularised in 1940 through its use in hosiery.

New uses of Rayon (an artificial silk popularised prior to WWII) Celanese

Fibre mixes:

Angora mixed with Rayon Rabbit mixed with Rayon Acetate and silk used for dresses

1950s

Nylon became a firm favourite with clothing companies and by the 1950s was increasingly popular.

New acrylic fibres and fabrics were developed as a result. These included:

Orlon - acrylic fibre Dynel Acrilan

Polyester Terylene (US name Dacron)