How does one lead the care-free life? The answer according to a 1956 DuPont advertisement is wearing clothing made out of Orlon acrylic fiber!
Orlon is one of the synthetic fibers that came out of the DuPont research labs following the discovery of nylon in the 1930s.
Commemorative sample of Orlon Acrylic Fiber made in Camden, SC, 1950.
At the Buffalo, NY plant in 1941, scientists working in the Pioneering Research Section began exploration of a material known as “Fiber A”. Due to its moth and mildew proof properties, the fiber was first tested in marquisette window curtains. Shortly after this first test, scientists began exploration of its suitability for use in clothing. Fiber A was officially renamed and trademarked “Orlon” in August of 1948.
The museum collection contains a small but significant group of Orlon materials mostly from the research labs but also a few that were made for commercial use. The research and development-related collections are really interesting and unique since they contain prototype as well as wear-tested clothing samples.
Right: Experimental Orlon dress shirt from the DuPont Pioneering Research Lab, March 1949.
This is also true for the rest of Hagley’s synthetic textile collections. Some are one-of-a kind proving unsuitable to that usage but others when developed further led to commercial success.
According to DuPont, the world’s first wash and wear suit was made of 200 and 400 denier Orlon textile yarn. Unfortunately we do not know whether or not this suit still exists but wash and wear clothing certainly has come close to eliminating ironing – if anyone still remembers what that is!
One of my favorite items is this sport jacket (left) due to its delightful colorful pattern! It was made for a man who had a long career working at DuPont. When the coat was made he was an Orlon Research Supervisor. What a great way to demonstrate your commitment to a product that you work with.
Orlon sport jacket, Wilmington, DE, 1954.
Most of the Orlon that has been mentioned so far was used in making clothing but visitors can see another use while touring the museum. There is a 1928 DuPont Motor Co. Phaeton on display in the Eleutherian Mills Barn. Around 1950, the top roof and side curtains were replaced using an Orlon fabric which has been on it ever since. A versatile fabric!
All museum artifacts are available for research by prior appointment only. Researchers are given access to the historic information in our Vernon collections management database, object accession files and the objects themselves for examination purposes.
Debra Hughes is the Museum Curator of Collections and Exhibits at Hagley.