subject: The History of Silk [print this page] The history of silk dates back almost 5,000 years to ancient China. The discovery of silk is attributed to Lady Hsi-Ling-Shih, the Goddess of Silk, although recent archeological finds date back to over 7,000 years ago. A fabric revered by emperors and royalty alike, there were wars fought along the Silk Road for control of the fabric. The Chinese used it as currency and traded it with the Romans pound for pound with gold. Silk was used to pay politicians and worthy citizens in China. Silk has one of the longest histories of any known fabric. China maintained a monopoly of silk until 300 A.D. by threatening their citizens with death for anyone who tried to export silk eggs to other countries. Soon after, silk was spread to Europe by way of the Silk Road. Silk boomed in Italy in the 11th and 12th centuries and the cities of Florence, Venice, and Genoa flourished. Silk was still coveted as a luxury item, but was becoming more widely available. Throughout history, most all nations have coveted silk, including Persians, Asians, and Europeans. Silk production has doubled in the past 30 years, making it more widely available. There are many applications for silk beyond clothing, although silk is very comfortable and light making it a great choice for clothing. Today silk is still a luxury item, but it is gaining popularity as an alternative to down which is known to cause allergic reactions. Silk is a hypoallergenic fabric, making it a great alternative to down comforters and for allergy sufferers. Suave Silk
