BEFORE PAPYRUS . . . BEYOND RAYON ESSELEN 179 



Still another trend which is worth noting, is the increasing popu- 

 larity of synthetic fibers made from cellulose acetate. This was the 

 last of the four varieties to achieve commercial importance, and at 

 first its high cost deterred is wide use. Recently, however, there 

 have been reductions in the price and with these have come wider 

 markets. 



Wlien rayon, or artificial silk as it was then known, first began 

 to attract attention in this country, a committee of silk manufac- 

 turers was appointed to study this new competitor and report on its 

 possibilities. After careful deliberation the committee finally con- 

 cluded that the possibilities of the new fibers were distinctly limited 

 and that they would probably be short-lived. Yet in 1931 60 percent 

 more rayon was used in the United States than natural silk and this 

 year the proportion in favor of rayon is probably even higher. 

 Rayon, however, should not be looked upon as a substitute for silk, 

 but rather as unique fibers with distinct and valuable properties of 

 their own. These fibers may be used alone in fabrics; in conjunction 

 with cotton to furnish an attractive decorative effect; or with wool 

 to produce pleasing new fabrics of lowered cost. New applications 

 are constantly being found. In 1910 the production of rayon in the 

 whole world was only about 10,000,000 pounds, and none was being 

 made in the United States. In 1928, on the other hand, 100,000,000 

 pounds were turned out in the United States alone, and in 1931 the 

 production here amounted to about 144,000,000 pounds, the figure 

 for 1932 being 10 percent less than for 1931.* 



In spite of the rapid developments of the last few years, it is 

 doubtful whether the real significance of these new fibers has yet 

 been visualized by anyone. When first produced in this country 20 

 years ago they lacked strength and resistance to water but improve- 

 ment in these and other directions has been constant. A special 

 type of rayon fiber has been developed which rivals silk in appear- 

 ance and strength even Avhen wet, though certain other characteristics 

 have thus far prevented its wide introduction into the textile industry. 



Even beyond rayon, cellulose is continuing to be a powerful aid in 

 making possible new developments which are changing the whole 

 trend of civilization. For the airplane, as in earlier forms of trans- 

 portation, cellulose was the first material to which man turned. The 

 framework and propeller were made of wood, the wings were cov- 

 ered Avith cellulose in the form of linen or cotton fabrics, and these 

 in turn coated with cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate varnishes to 



* It is of interest to note that rayon production in 1933 amounted to 208,530,000 

 pounds, an increase of 60 percent over the preceding year. 

 111666 — 35 13 



