In 1926, Wallace Carothers, the inventor of nylon, first discovered that alcohol and carboxyl acids could be mixed to create synthetic fibers. This resulted in the first early polyester polymers, however, they proved to be unstable and lost shape when submerged in hot water. The project was then shelved in favor of developing nylon.
Wallace Carothers

Thirteen years later, in 1939, John Winfield and James Dickson continued Carother’s work. By 1941 they patented PET which would become the basis for Polyester Flag Fabric products. In the same year with the help of W.K. Birtwhistle and C.G. Ritchie, they created the first polyester fiber, Terylene.

By 1946, American conglomerate DuPont purchased all of the legal rights to the material. In 1950, they produced the polyester fiber – Dacron, and in 1952 – Mylar. In 1951 polyester was first introduced to the public, it was sold as a ‘miracle fabric' that could be pulled, worn, and washed without wrinkling or signs of wear.

By 1958 polyester was experiencing fervent popularity, people did seem to like the low-maintenance benefit. Textile mills exploded around the country as many were eager to reap the benefits of producing this inexpensive yet durable fiber. This popularity would continue through the early '60s.

As 1970 came and went, polyester was met with a decline in the fashion world. It developed a bad reputation as a cheap fabric that was uncomfortable to wear (especially in the heat). Both high and low fashion made a swift return to natural fibers like wool, linen, and cotton (and polyester blends).

Today full polyester clothing mostly retains its ill reputation. But cotton-polyester and wool-polyester blends are quite common. Now they take more of an assisting role to the natural fibers, giving them extra durability among its other benefits, for little cost.

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