Friday, May 8, 2009

CLOTHING INVENTION



Clothes were originally invented to protect people against the elements. As civilizations developed, people made clothes for more spesific purposes and devised ways to improve their clothes, by making them warmer, more waterproof or simply easier to get on and off.

Zipping up

In 1893 American Whitcomb Judson invented a sliding device with interlocking teeth that he used for fastening boots. Unfortunately, his device tended to jam or burst open. In 1914, Gideon Sundback made the first zip fastener to be used in clothing.

Foot wear

Early people devised various kinds of footwear to protect their feet from hard and stony ground. Many shoes, like an Aztec sandal, were made from plant fibres.

Waterproof fabric

Collapsible umbrellas were in use before 1800, but were very heavy. In 1848 Samuel Fox introduced steel frames, which were much lighter.

Jeans

Jeans were first made in 1874 by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. They were designed for gold miners, who complained that their ordinary trousers wore out too quickly.

Lycra

Lycra introduced in 1959. Lycra was originally intended for underwear. Its figure-hugging qualities make it ideal for all kinds of clothing from swimwear to socks.

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