Silk Production

 

Silk was first produced in China during the Neolithic period, by the Yangshao civilisation (4th millennium BC). Until the Silk Road opened in 114 BC, the art of silk manufacture remained limited to China, albeit China retained a virtual monopoly over silk production for another thousand years. Silk was not just used for clothes in China; it was also utilised for a variety of other purposes, such as writing. During the Tang dynasty, the colour of silk worn had social significance and served as an essential indicator of social position.

Around 300 AD, silkworm agriculture expanded to Japan, and by 552 AD, the Byzantine Empire had obtained silkworm eggs and was able to begin silkworm cultivation; around the same time, the Arabs began to weave silk. Chinese silk exports have declined as a result of the expansion of sericulture, however they continue to dominate the premium silk market. The Crusades introduced silk manufacturing to Western Europe, particularly to numerous Italian kingdoms, which experienced a boom in silk exports to the rest of Europe. During the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) in Europe, advances in industrial technology began to emerge, with equipment such as the spinning wheel making their debut. During the 16th century, France joined Italy in building a flourishing silk trade, despite the failure of most other nations to create their own silk industry.

Much of Europe's silk business was transformed during the Industrial Revolution. Cotton became more cheaper to make as a result of advancements in cotton spinning, leading to cotton production being the major emphasis for many factories and driving the more expensive production of silk to diminish. New weaving methods, on the other hand, boosted the efficiency of silk fabric manufacturing; one of them was the Jacquard loom, which was designed to produce extremely intricate silks with embroidery-like motifs. Production fell due to an outbreak of many silkworm illnesses at the time, notably in France, where the industry never fully recovered.