ABSTRACT
For centuries, man dreamed of producing or imitating the natural silk in order to be able to produce large quantities of the expensive silk fibre easily and cheaply. It was the partial realization of this dream which led to the foundation of the manmade fibre industry. Manmade fibres are not a mere alternative to natural fibres but are new materials of high functionality and high performance. Manmade fibres are produced in factories, which need not be too far from textile manufacturing areas. Specific qualities of fibres can be produced deliberately and quickly in accordance with the demand. The sports industry has driven much research within the textile industry to help improve athletic performance, personal comfort and protection from the elements. The development of high-tech advanced textiles for specific applications, such as extreme sports, eventually finds its way to street fashion, where designers are allowed the creativity of experimenting with these new emerging materials.
