ABSTRACT
The use of fibres to strengthen materials which are much weaker in tension than in compression goes back to ancient times. Probably the oldest written account of such a composite material, clay bricks reinforced with straw, occurs in Exodus 5:6-7,
‘And Pharaoh commanded the same day the task-masters of the people, and their officers, saying,
“Ye shall no more give the people straw to make bricks, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.”’
