Silk For Mens Boxers- The History Of Silk

Silk is an all natural fiber

Silk is an all natural fiber. It is made by the larvae of the mulberry silk worm. The majority of silk used in the textile weaving industry comes from these worms raised in captivity. Silk has its lustrous appearance because of a prism-like structure of the fibers that refracts incoming light at several angles. Silk fabric was first made in China from as long ago as 3,500 BCE. At first a fabric only worn by Chinese royalty, the use and manufacture of silk has since spread around the world.

Approximately 1,000 years B.C.E. the silk trade stretched into the Middle East, North Africa, India and Europe. It had already become an international trading item at this time. The trade routes running from Europe to Asia were known collectively as the Silk Road. Though Chinese emperors tried to keep knowledge of the production of silk secret, the techniques nonetheless spread to Korea by 200 B.C.E., and by 300 C. E., silk was produced in India.

Today, India is second only to China in silk production, and India is the largest consumer of silk. Brides traditionally wear silk saris during marriage ceremonies in some parts of India, and silk is commonly worn to festive occasions in India.

The Roman Empire knew of the supremely comfortable fabric and traded it. Though the emperor Tiberius passed laws forbidding men to wear silk garments (because it was simply too luxurious and sophisticated), this did little to stop the wearing of silk.

Venice was a center of silk trade, and because of this many silk growers settled in Italy. By the 1200s C.E. Italian silk had a reputation as truly luxurious fabric. Silk made in the province of Como became the most valuable in the world, and by the late 19th century, Italy was the third largest producer of silk in the world, bested only by China and Japan.

American colonists attempted to grow silk in the 1600s, as did Shakers living in what is now Kentucky and some New England residents. In the 19th century, European workers in Paterson, New Jersey brought silk production there, making Paterson a center of U.S. production of silk.

An amino acid named glycine is the secret ingredient that makes silk strong. This compound causes tight and strong packing together of the molecules which make up silk fiber. Silk's tensile strength is because of interceded hydrogen bonds, which resist even most acids. Sulfuric acid, however, will dissolve silk. Because of its wonderful properties, silk used to be used for making blanket filling, parachutes, and even bicycle tires.

The cultivation of silk involves silk moths laying eggs on special paper. When the eggs hatch, the larvae are given mulberry leaves to eat. After about five weeks, the larvae are ready to begin spinning their co coon, which they do on a straw frame placed over the tray where the larvae live. The silk is coated in a substance called seracin, and it solidifies as soon as it comes in contact with air. Silkworm larva can spin a mile of filament into a cocoon in two or three days time. The cocoon totally encases the larva and when the cocoon is finished the larva are killed in heated water and the silk is collected.

This is the story of how fine silk comes about. Silk is one of the finest fabrics you can buy. Bedding and sleepwear such as mens silk pajamas and mens silk boxers are an affordable luxury that will give you one of the little pleasures of life.

by: Zach Carson

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