Nylon is an important design material

Nylon, also called polyamide, is a synthetic material widely used in many different products. You can find it in textiles, clothing fabrics, and other items. It is also used in carpets that cover the floors of homes and buildings and in brushes used for cleaning or painting. In addition, nylon is used in a variety of moulded items. These items include small everyday things like curtain tracks, which help hang curtains, and more complex engineering parts for machinery and devices.

Du Pont – Commercial Nylon

The Du Pont Company made the first commercial nylon in the United States. This achievement was the result of ten years of dedicated research and development. Initially, nylon was used in toothbrushes, providing stronger and more durable bristles. Then, in 1939, it was introduced for making stockings. These nylon stockings became extremely popular, with over 64 million pairs sold in the first year alone. That same year, nylon was showcased at the Du Pont Pavilion during the New York World’s Fair, garnering significant attention and curiosity.

Post WW II

After World War II, nylon became more widely used, especially in textiles, carpets, and clothing. This was because it was a very versatile and durable material that could be produced in large quantities. In the 1960s, nylon found another interesting use. It was used to manufacture synthetic turf, an artificial grass-like surface. This synthetic turf became known as Astroturf and was first sold in the United States.

Sources

Woodham, J. M. (2006). A dictionary of modern design. Oxford University Press.

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