Polyester fabric was originally fabricated in England in 1941 by British scientists John Whinfield and James Dickson. Even So, it wasn’t until 1950 that an American manufacturing business named Dupont started to manufacture polyester in the United States.
Polyester material is characterized by its ability to withstand both fading and shrinking, establishing it as the most widely utilized fabric in the production of apparel since 1960. Likewise, it became a frequent option in the manufacturing of tablecloths, chair coverings, placemats, skirting and aprons. As well accepted as it was for clothing and interior decor, it was not the foremost alternative for napkins. It was established that napkins made of 100% polyester lacked absorption and did not have the feel of cotton associated with pricy table linen.
Along came spun polyester. Spun Polyester was initially developed for industrial use and household furnishings. When Johnston Industries tried to make a spun polyester they could utilize in boat coverings they actually ended up with a fabric that was lighter in weight with an improved feel to it. They also discovered that dying made the cloth even softer. This was a fabric that would be perfect for table cloths.
Johnston Industries felt so strongly about their find that they ceased the development of boat coverings. Bob Pomeranz, an expert in textiles, took on the project of bettering spun polyester at Johnston Industries. His complete knowledge of spinning machines allowed him to spin a material free from pilling, the irritating fiber clumps that take away from a cloth’s appearance. The end outcome was a durable table cloth that would maintain its coloring, expel dirt and not shrink. Table linens produced of spun polyester could now have the feel of cotton cloths and most significantly, unlike cotton fiber, a spun poly tablecloth would not fade following numerous washings. To a greater extent, the more you laundered a spun polyester table cloth the softer and better it would feel to the touch.
Eventually, the textile industry begun to use spun polyester for napkins, chair covers, place mats, table skirting, and aprons. As a matter of fact, where table napkins made of 100% polyester lacked absorption-spun polyester table napkins did not.
Both 100% polyester and spun polyester have their place, not just in the home, but in hotels, nursing homes, hospitals and the party rental industry as well.