Print this page Textiles: America’s First Industry
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1940s/50s/60s, we will examine the history and development of the textile industry in America from colonial times to the middle of the 20th Century.
We will examine the events that led to the expansion of the textile industry, its products, innovations, technology, economic impacts etc. We will also examine the technologies used for quality control and the creation of synthetic fibers such as Nylon and Rayon as well as production of natural fibers such as cotton and silk.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the origins of the textile industry and its importance to the national economy;
- Understand/appreciate the origins and uses of natural fibers such as cotton and/or silk;
- Understand/appreciate the development, processing and manufacture of fabrics using synthetic fibers such as Nylon and/or Rayon;
- Understand/appreciate the innovations in stain, mold, wrinkle resistant fabrics and their care and maintenance;
- Understand/appreciate the operations ensuring quality control and modern methods of production in a textile mill
- Understand/appreciate how the low-cost lady’s dress revolutionized the textile industry; and
- Understand/appreciate the complex processes involved in turning cow hides into a fine pair of shoes.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the background, history, development, innovations, etc. of the textile industry.
Course Introduction
The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;
- Part 1 – Industry Overview
- Part 2 – Natural Fibers
- Part 3 – Synthetic Fibers
- Part 4 – Manufacturing
Part 1 examines the historical origins of the textile industry from its early days in colonial New England through to the modern textile industry of the mid-20th Century. Part 2 examines two natural fibers used in the textile industry; cotton and silk. Part 3 examines the development of two main synthetic fibers; Nylon and Rayon, and the care and maintenance of synthetic/hybrid garments. Part 4 examines quality control criteria and manufacturing methods, machinery and procedures for fabrics and shoes.
Course Content
Part 1 – Industry Overview;
TITLE: The Greater Goal: Human Dividends from American Industry (1953)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/GreaterG1953
DURATION: 23:57
Part 2 – Natural Fibers;
TITLE: King Cotton (Revised) (ca. 1940)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/king_cotton
DURATION: 16:09
TITLE: A Strand of Silk (ca. 1950)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/0396_Strand_of_Silk_A_10_10_25_10
DURATION: 12:04
Part 3 – Synthetic Fibers;
TITLE: Synthetic Fibers: Nylon and Rayon (1949)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Synthetic_Fibers_Nylon_and_Rayon
DURATION: 13:12
TITLE: The Wonderful World of Wash ‘n’ Wear (1958)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Wonderfu1958
DURATION: 22:30
Part 4 – Manufacturing;
TITLE: Quality Control in Modern Merchandising – Part 1(1952)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/quality_control_1
DURATION: 08:45
TITLE: Quality Control in Modern Merchandising – Part 2(1952)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/quality_control_2
DURATION: 15:21
TITLE: How Textile Mills are Modernizing (ca.1948)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HowTexti1948
DURATION: 25:09
TITLE: Twenty Dollar Miracle (ca.1969)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/TwentyDollarMiracle
DURATION: 10:06
TITLE: A Story of Shoes (ca. 1941)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/0728_Story_of_Shoes_A_06_24_40_00
DURATION: 24:15
Course Summary
Textiles in our modern life are so commonplace we hardly notice them, but their importance to life in America is one of the great unknown stories of the nation’s industrial beginnings and rise to prominence in the world. For mill towns all across the land, payroll checks to the multitudes of mill workers was the foundation of local economies. Most significant is the contribution the textile industry has played in the apparel industry, making quality clothing both affordable and accessible to the masses.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Textile
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
