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Updated:Apr 23, 2026
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The Synthetic Fiber Revolution: Rayon, Nylon, and Acetate (1910–1960)

The Synthetic Fiber Revolution: Rayon, Nylon, and Acetate (1910–1960)

  1. Viscose rayon enters commercial production

    Labels: Viscose Rayon, Coventry England

  2. American Viscose begins U.S. rayon production

    Labels: American Viscose, Pennsylvania

  3. Cellophane signals cellulose chemistry’s consumer potential

    Labels: Cellophane, Cellulose Chemistry

  4. Acetate’s wartime aviation demand accelerates scaling

    Labels: Cellulose Acetate, World War

  5. British Celanese starts commercial acetate fiber manufacture

    Labels: British Celanese, Acetate Fiber

  6. “Rayon” becomes the official U.S. fiber name

    Labels: Rayon U, Naming Standard

  8. Rayon overtakes silk in U.S. consumption

    Labels: Rayon Consumption, United States

  9. DuPont begins U.S. acetate fiber production

    Labels: DuPont, Acetate Production

  10. Nylon 6,6 is first synthesized

    Labels: Nylon 6, DuPont Chemistry

  11. DuPont receives nylon patent and announces the fiber

    Labels: DuPont Patent, Nylon

  12. Nylon is introduced to the public at 1939 World’s Fair

    Labels: 1939 World, Nylon Launch

  13. Nationwide U.S. sales of nylon stockings begin

    Labels: Nylon Stockings, U S

  14. U.S. war needs divert nylon from civilian markets

    Labels: Wartime Requisition, Nylon Diversion

  15. Postwar “nylon riots” reveal pent-up consumer demand

    Labels: Nylon Riots, Postwar Shortages

  16. By 1960, synthetics and semi-synthetics are established staples

    Labels: Synthetic Staples, 1960s Textiles