The year is 1883 and at the World's Columbian Exhibition
, designer Edward Drummond Libbey is about to shock the fashion world with a dress made entirely of glass fibres. Modeled by one of the most popular actresses of the time, Georgia Cayvan, it is one of the first sightings of a material that would go on to become an integral part of manufacture - fibreglass.
Glass makers had been experimenting with ways of using glass fibres such as these for many years. Libbey's dress was simply the most striking and high profile example. However, the arrival of fibreglass as a practical material available for everyday use was still a long way off. In fact it was not until 1938 that it arrived in the world in a form we would recongnise today.
The inventor was Russell Games Slator of Owens Coming who designed it as a material for insulation under the trademark of fiberglas. As insulation fibreglass was ideal By trapping air between them the small blocks of glass fibre were incredibly useful for keeping heat in. However, since then its uses have multiplied.
Their high weight to surface ratio means they are perfect for manufacturing items that are strong yet lightweight at the same time. Surfboard manufacturers have long since traded in heavy wood for this much lighter and more resilient alternative. These properties were put to the test in the most high profile way in 1986 in the America's cup when the New Zealand team entered a boat with a lightweight fibreglass hull. Their name for it - plastic fantastic - struck a chord with spectators and fans; however competitors were less than happy. They firmly believe it contravened the spirit, if not the precise rules, of racing.
Today this continues to be one of the most widely used materials available. It can be seen in everything a car body to a molded base for a pond or even in Irish dancing shoes. Its durability coupled with an impressive versatility makes it ideal for so many disparate uses.
There are downsides of course. Cheap fibreglass units can be brittle and prone to shatter. They can be vulnerable to chemical attack which harms structural rigidity.
However, the cost effective nature of fibreglass looks set to ensure it remains an integral part of everyday life. From an actress' dress to lining for a pond it has certainly been a long and winding road.