Spun Polyester - Its History, Attributes and Uses
Polyester cloth was first made in England in 1941 by British scientists John Whinfield and James Dickson. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until 1950 that an American manufacturer called Dupont set out to produce polyester in the United States.
Polyester cloth is characterized by its ability to resist both fading and shrinking, establishing it as the most widely utilized cloth in the production of garments since 1960. It also became a best-selling option in the production of table linens, chair coverings, placemats, skirting and aprons. As well accepted as it was for clothing and domestic decor, it was not the foremost alternative for napkins. It was determined that napkins made of 100% polyester lacked absorption and did not have the feeling of cotton fiber related to expensive table linen.
Along came spun polyester. Spun Polyester was first produced for heavy-duty use and home furnishings. When Johnson Industries tried to produce a spun polyester they could use in boat covers they actually ended up with a fabric that was lighter in weight with a better feel to it. They also discovered that dying made the material even softer. This was a fabric that would be perfect for tablecloths.
Johnston Industries felt so powerfully about their discovery that they stopped the development of boat covers. Bob Pomeranz, an expert in textiles, took on the task of improving spun polyester at Johnston Industries. His complete knowledge of spinning machines allowed him to spin a cloth free from pilling, the wretched fiber bunches that take away from a cloth’s appearance. The end solution was a long-lasting table linen that would keep its color, discharge dirt and not shrink.
Table cloths made of spun polyester featured the grain of cotton fiber fabrics and most significantly, unlike cotton fiber, a spun poly table linen would not fade after many washings. As a rule, the more you washed a spun polyester tablecloth the softer and better it would feel to the touch.
Eventually, the textile industry begun to utilize spun polyester for skirting, chair coverings, placemats, aprons and even napkins. In fact, where table napkins produced of 100% polyester lacked absorption-spun polyester napkins did not.
Both 100% polyester and spun polyester have their place, not just in the home, but in hotels, nursing homes, hospitals and the party rental industry as well.