Polyester

   This man-made fiber was invented in 1941 by two British chemists, John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson, while working together at the Calico Printer's Association of Manchester. Whinfield and Dickson furthered the research done by DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers while researching nylon. However, when polyester was introduced to the United States in 1951, it gained popularity because of its resistance to wrinkling, stretching, and shrinking. Polyester also washes well, is colorfast, and dries quickly. It was advertised as a miracle fiber that could be worn for 68 days straight without ironing and still look presentable. Polyester experienced constant growth until the 1970s—sales drastically declined due to the negative public image that emerged in the late 1960s when it was suddenly regarded as cheap and uncomfortable.

   In 1993, Dyersburg Corporation began efforts to recycle materials made of 100% man-made materials (nylon, polyester), to minimize the volume of chemical fiber clothing on the earth.