Over the years, most people have fancied silk fabric so much because it is a luxurious piece of material. However, only a few know about the origin and history of this fabric. In this post, you will discover all the information you need to know about silk fabric and its history.

Origin of Silk

Silk fabric was first developed in Ancient China. However, the earliest surviving silk samples can be found in the very presence of the silk protein fibroin in the soil samples from two tombs at the Neolithic site in Jiahu in Henan, dating back to 85000. 

During the time of Odyssey, 19.233, Odysseus, trying to conceal his identity, his wife Penelope was asked about her husband’s clothing; she mentioned that she wore a shirt that gleams like the skin of a dried onion refers to the lustrous quality of silk fabric. 

 The Roman Empire valued silk so much. So they traded in the most highly-priced silk, which is Chinese silk. 

Where Does Silk Yarn Come From? 

Silk is a pure protein fiber; the major components of the protein fiber of silk are fibroin. The larvae of some certain insects produce fibroin to form cocoons. For example, the best rich silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm that is reared by the method of sericulture (rearing by captivity). 

Do you know that the shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism structure of silk fiber? The triangular structure allows the refraction of incoming light at different degrees, leading to other colors. 

Different insects form silk; the moth of caterpillars has been the only one used for textile manufacturing. The larvae of an insect experiencing metamorphosis lead to the production of silk. 

Most insect-like web spinners and raspy crickets can produce silk throughout their lives. Bees, wasps, beetles, lacewings, fleas, flies, and midges also produce silk. Also, arthropods like spiders and arachnids produce silk. 

Chinese were the first people to produce silk during the stone age before it circulated to other world places like Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Europe.