Invented in 1958, spandex is a synthetic polymer. Its name, or an anagram of expand, refers to the stretch ability of the fiber. It is made of at least 85% polyurethane. The chain of polyurethane is produced by reacting polyester with diisocyanate.
The polyurethane chain is extremely strong and has extraordinary stretch ability. This unique ability makes it perfect for creating stretchable fabrics. It is also used for furniture cushioning.
Since its creation, scientists have developed ways to improve spandex fibers and fillers. These new developments include catalysts, ratios, and prepolymers. The fibers also have improved absorbency, resilience, and colorant properties.
Today, most spandex production is done in China. Its price has plummeted, making it an ideal material for clothing. Manufacturers monitor product quality at each stage of production. They also test its physical characteristics such as odor, color, and absorbency.
Since its invention, spandex has been incorporated into a variety of clothing, including athleticwear. The fiber is also used in space suits. The company that originally created the material, DuPont, has factories in dozens of countries.
Who Invented Stretch Pants?
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Invented in 1952 by German entrepreneur Willy Bogner, the first stretch pants were made of an original Helanca nylon and wool blend. Bogner’s first pants lost their luster within a few seasons. Today, Bogner’s stretch pants are made of a plethora of good-quality fabrics.
For the most part, Willy Bogner has made a mint from his invention. He now has a modern factory on the outskirts of Munich. Willy also possesses one of the world’s best business minds. He and his wife Maria have made a good living and they’re happy to boot.
While Willy Bogner’s stretch pants are still sold in Europe, the Americans have gotten a piece of the action. Bogner isn’t immune from high tariffs. In fact, he makes a quarter of a million dollars from his stretchy pants.
The true story about Bogner’s invention isn’t told in full. It’s a long, convoluted tale that isn’t as simple as it sounds. The most logical place to start is the history of the pants themselves.
It’s hard to cram the entire history of Bogner’s stretch pants into one article. But here’s a quick rundown.
When Was Spandex First Used in Clothing?
‘Spandex’ is a synthetic polymer that is used to create stretchable fabrics. Its elasticity makes the fabric stretch and then return to its original shape. It is often used to make form fitting apparel such as leggings and athletic wear. It is also used in lingerie.
Spandex is made of a polyurethane base material. The first polyurethane elastomers were developed in 1940. These fabrics were softer than earlier rubber polymers and could withstand higher temperatures. They were developed by scientists at the DuPont Corporation, who were working to replace rubber in garments.
Spandex was first developed at DuPont’s Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia. Scientist Joseph C. Shivers worked on the fiber, which he named Fiber K. Initially the fiber was used in sportswear, but was eventually introduced into women’s foundation garments.
Spandex became popular in the 1970s. It was used in athletic wear, cycling shorts, and leggings. Its elasticity prevented bagging and sagging of clothing. It became popular with a younger body conscious crowd.
Spandex also gained ground in footwear. Cyclists traded their woolen shorts for “aerodynamic” spandex shorts in the 1970s. During the 1990s, spandex blends found their way into knit and woven apparel. It has also found a home in teen and children’s wear.
Who Invented Lycra Pants?
During the 1960s, a new material, Lycra, was introduced into the world of fashion. It revolutionized the way we wear our clothes. It’s now used in nearly every type of sportswear.
Lycra is made from elastane, which is a highly elastic synthetic material. In fact, the term elastane is the technical term for polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics.
Lycra has been produced in a number of countries. China leads the pack. It is also produced in the United States, India, Pakistan, and Brazil.
The name lycra is actually a trademark of the DuPont corporation, an international corporation that has manufacturing locations in 90 countries. It was invented by a DuPont chemist named Joseph C. Shivers. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame this year.
The name lycra may be a little misleading. It’s actually not a particularly long-lasting material. The process of making it is a bit toxic. It also contains carcinogenic chemicals. There is no guarantee that it won’t harm the environment in the long run.
The other obvious question is who invented lycra? Lycra was invented by a DuPont chemistry professor named Joseph C. Shivers. He was a pioneer in the development of polymer chemistry.
When Was Spandex Discovered?
Originally developed as a rubber replacement, spandex has become a popular material used in many different types of clothing. The fabric is made of many polymer strands which are soft and hard.
The soft segments of the polymer return to their original shape when pulled and the hard segments stay intact. These segments are able to stretch up to 500% of their original length. This means that spandex is able to stretch a lot, but not to the extent of regular elastic. Regular elastic gradually loses its flexibility over time.
The first step in the process of creating spandex is the preparation of a prepolymer. A prepolymer is made by reacting a compound called macroglycol with a monomer called diisocyanate. This preparation is then spun into fibers.
The chemistry of spandex was developed by chemist Joseph C. Shivers, who worked at DuPont. His invention was patented by DuPont and the name Lycra was applied to the product.
The fiber is trademarked and is used in a variety of products. It is used in clothing, furniture covers, sportswear, and more. It can be dyed and used to make other materials.
When Did Stretchy Pants Become Popular?
Thousands of years ago, yoga was practiced as a religious and meditative practice. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it started to make its way into the mainstream.
As fashion historian Deirdre Clemente put it, athleisure clothing came to fruition in the 20th century with three key trends: the introduction of exercise into a mainstream lifestyle, the high fashionization of streetwear, and the introduction of athletic sneakers.
For many women, yoga and leggings were synonymous. In fact, according to Nike, Inc., the women’s business of athletic footwear and apparel reached a $7 billion milestone in 2010. However, the most significant contributor to this growth is the increased demand for comfortable, functional and fashionable active wear.
In the United States, yoga didn’t gain mainstream popularity until the 1980s. In the 1990s, the legging trend began to cool down. However, it made a resurgence in the aughts. And, according to Hollie Shaw, a financial writer, it was Lululemon’s new line of stretchy pants that made the most impact.
Of course, there was the oh so cheesy “fad” of the year, the “smart pants” (in the form of yoga pants). And, in a nutshell, the leggings were a cleverly disguised version of a pair of jeans.
Who Invented Stretch Jeans?
Unlike traditional jeans, stretch jeans are formfitting and allow for more movement. While they may not look like the jeans of old, they are often made from a synthetic elastic material, called spandex.
The first stretch jeans were introduced by British fashion designer Peter Golding in the mid-1970s. He sold them in the Chelsea King’s Road district of London. He also used Japanese stretch denim fabric to make them. The company that sold them, Bloomingdale’s, later sold them in the United States.
Another major influence on the rise of stretch jeans was American fashion designer Elio Fiorucci. He was a friend of Liza Minelli and Andy Warhol, and was a frequent Studio 54 partygoer. He was also responsible for the creation of the first pair of stretch jeans.
Stretch jeans also came from the American West, where they continued to be used as workwear among miners and laborers. Western films also made jeans mainstream, with jeans as workwear becoming a staple of American culture.
Stretch jeans can be worn from the morning commute to an evening out. They are very comfortable, and the material is usually made of cotton, spandex, or polyester.
Who First Wore Leggings?
Despite being worn by men and women throughout history, leggings were not a popular fashion item until the 1980s. In fact, they were first worn as hosiery in Europe during the Renaissance. During this time, men were depicted wearing stockings, while Louis XVI of France was often pictured wearing them.
The first iteration of leggings was cropped and were worn under denim mini skirts. They were also worn as a tight-fitting form of pants.
In the early ’80s, leggings were incorporated into the workout wear of popular fitness guru Jane Fonda. She was one of the first celebrities to use leggings as a style staple. She wore leggings under denim mini skirts and hoodies, and wore them with a tank top.
Leggings were also popular for their warmth in colder regions. In the late 19th century, soldiers wore leggings for ankle protection. They were also worn as leather thigh high boots by Native Americans.
In the 1950s, leggings were regarded as a more feminine style of garment. Women also wore them with baby doll tops.
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