Artificial silk or Rayon: Developed in 1889 by French chemist Count Hilaire de Chardonnet. His fabric caused a sensation at the Paris Exhibition. Two years later, he built the first commercial rayon plant in France.

Several attempts to produce “artificial silk” in the United States were made during the early 1900's, but none were successful until the American Viscose Company, formed by Samuel Courtaulds and Co., Ltd., began production of rayon in 1910. By the mid 20’s textile manufacturers could purchase the fiber for half the price of raw silk.

Acetate was developed in 1893 by Arthur Little of Boston, another cellulose product that was used as a film. The first commercial textile uses for acetate in fiber form were developed by the Celanese Company in 1924.

Ballbriggin: From Britannica~~Function: noun
Etymology: Balbriggan, town in Ireland
Date: 1885
1) a knitted cotton fabric used especially for underwear or hosiery
2) a jersey, interlock, or ribbed, knitted fabric made of cotton or cotton blends for the undergarment, t-shirt, or hosiery industry.

Merino: Thin woolen twilled cloth developed during the 19th century.

Cashmere: Rare natural fibre combed from the fleece of the Kashmir goat.

Dacron Reg T.M. of Dupont of polyester fibers in continous filament yarns. In the 50's and early 60's, there were nightwear pieces made of a cotton, dacron and nylon blend.

Had a soft cottony-feel washed well but disappeared when they started with the federal flammability standards for sleepwear.

Lisle: Handspun two ply cotton yarn twisted to compact the fibers Named after the French town of Lille where it was originated used for stockings until the 1940’s First Commercial U.S. Production

Lycra: Manmade fibre discovered in 1958 by Dupont. Abrasion resistant elastic with a lot of stretch. An essential component of girdles, its first use was in 70's exercise wear.

Silk: Natural fiber produced by the silk worm. The worms spin cocoons making fine filament which form a thread. When burnt, this is a self extinguishing fabric and produces an odor of burning hair.

Non-loaded silk: This hasn't been tin loaded (not washed in metallic salts). This hasn't been tin loaded ( not washed in metallic salts)

Nylon: Man made material. Nylons are one of the most common polymers used as a fiber. Nylon is found in clothing all the time, but also in other places, in the form of a thermoplastic.

Satin: Satin is a type of weave, not a fiber. Satin can be woven from silk or other fiber yarns such as rayon.

Rayon: Named in 1924 by Kenneth Lord Senior, after there was a competition to find a new name for artificial silk.

In 1912 the first rayon stockings were made. In 1916 knitwear of rayon came onto the market. Rayon production increased in the 1920's.

Lycra: A man made fibre discovered in 1958 by Dupont. It is elastic abrasion resistant and has a lot of stretch. An essential component of girdles. During the 70's it's use was started in excercise wear.

Spandex:
Another man made fibre, first made by Dupont in 1958. Lightweight and strong it is used in swim wear, lingerie and hosiery.