Vegetable flannel

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Vegetable flannel is a type of flannel using fibres from the Scots pine, or Pinus sylvestris, rather than traditional woollen fibres. [1] It is described as having a hemp like appearance, but with a tighter, softer texture. [2] In addition to this, the term can also describe coarse linen used for underclothing. [3]

Contents

Manufacture

Invented in the early 19th century by L. Léopold Lairitz of Germany, the manufacture of vegetable flannel became a Black Forest industry due to the wide availability of the pines there which provided the raw materials. [4] [5] The raw fibre, called Waldwolle ("forest wool"), and the pine oil were separated, and then the Waldwolle was spun into yarn or thread, and either woven or knitted. [5]

By 1900, vegetable flannel was mainly woven at Wrocław, which at the time was located in Germany. [2]

Properties

Vegetable flannel was promoted as a hypoallergenic option for those who could not wear wool, and was thought to be particularly good for rheumatism and neuralgia. [4] [5] In the nineteenth century, this was attributed to the tannins and resins present in the fibre, and "formic acid, which creates a gentle and constant excitement of the skin." [5] Another contemporary article claimed that vegetable flannel regulated the release of phosphorus and other elements from the invalid's body. [4] In 1900, vegetable flannel was widely used for blankets in German hospitals, prisons and barracks as it was thought not to harbour pests and vermin. [2]

Criticism

The German Polytechnisches Journal, which published several articles on Waldwolle as a promising new material, was later highly critical of marketing claims made for it. In an article in 1868 the journal stated that while the fibres extracted from pine needles were chemically identical to linen or cotton fibres, their mechanical properties – coarse, short and smooth – were such that spinning yarn from them was unlikely to be possible. The journal reported it had inspected samples of Waldwolle and found them to be mainly composed of cotton or wool and cotton blends with some pine fibre or pine oil added to provide a characteristic rough texture and pine scent. [6]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Textile</span> Various fiber-based materials

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Textile manufacturing is one of the oldest human activities. The oldest known textiles date back to about 5000 B.C. In order to make textiles, the first requirement is a source of fibre from which a yarn can be made, primarily by spinning. The yarn is processed by knitting or weaving to create cloth. The machine used for weaving is the loom. Cloth is finished by what are described as wet process to become fabric. The fabric may be dyed, printed or decorated by embroidering with coloured yarns.

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References

  1. "Vegetable flannel". Webster's 1913 Dictionary. Webster. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Cole, George S. (1900). Cole's Encyclopedia of Dry Goods. Root Newspaper Association. p. 566.
  3. Tortora, Phyllis G.; Johnson, Ingrid (2014). The Fairchild books dictionary of textiles (8th ed.). New York: Fairchild Books. ISBN   9781609015350.
  4. 1 2 3 "Vegetable Flannel". Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours: 256. 1869.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Manufactures: Vegetable Flannel". The Journal of the Society of Arts: 281. 10 March 1865.
  6. "Ueber sogenannte Waldwolle und daraus gewonnene Fabricate". Polytechnisches Journal: 342–343. 1868.