Fabrics: VISCOSE

The history of viscose is a story of textile innovation that revolutionized the fashion and weaving industries. Here is a page that tells the story of this unique material:

The Beginning of the Synthetic Era:

Viscose, also known as rayon, was the first successful synthetic fabric and represented an important step forward in the evolution of fashion and the textile industry. Its history begins at the end of the 19th century, when the textile industry was looking for a solution to the problems of availability and costs of natural fibres.

The Invention of Viscose:

In 1891, French chemist Hilaire de Chardonnet developed the first synthetic fabric called "artificial silk." This fabric was made from cellulose extracted from wood pulp, mainly from beech or birch. The manufacturing process involved dissolving cellulose in a chemical solution and then regenerating the fibers through a spinning wheel. The resulting viscose was remarkably similar to natural silk in terms of luster and softness, but was cheaper to produce and did not require the breeding of silkworms.

The Diffusion of Viscose:

Viscose quickly became popular in Europe, especially in France and Germany, where several factories were founded for its production. Its versatility made it a material of choice for a variety of textile products, including clothing, bedding, and furnishing fabrics.

Technical Challenges and Continuous Development:

Despite the benefits of viscose, the manufacturing process had some challenges related to the toxicity of the chemicals used and fabric shrinkage issues. Over time, improved processes have been developed to address these issues.

Viscolyse and Rayon:

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, further improvements in viscose production were developed. This led to the process evolving into a variant called "viscolyse" and the creation of rayon, a term often used in reference to viscose. Rayon had a wider range of applications, from making lightweight clothing fabrics to threads for making tires.

The Modern Era:

Today, viscose is still widely used in the textile industry. New technologies have made the production process more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Viscose is prized for its luster, softness, and moisture-wicking ability, and is often used for clothing, bedding, and furnishing fabrics.

The history of viscose represents an important chapter in the evolution of the textile industry and the continued innovation in synthetic materials, providing the world of fashion with new options and a more sustainable alternative to traditional natural fibres.