Polyester material was initially fabricated in England in 1941 by British scientists John Whinfield and James Dickson. Still, it wasn’t until 1950 that an American manufacturer identified as Dupont set out to manufacture polyester in the United States.
Polyester material is characterized by its ability to withstand both fading and shrinking, making it the most widely used fabric in the production of apparel since 1960. Likewise, it became a favorite alternative in the making of table cloths, chair coverings, place mats, skirting and aprons. As well accepted as it was for clothes and household decor, it was not the best choice for table napkins. It was discovered that napkins made of 100% polyester lacked absorption and did not have the feel of cotton fiber related to high-priced table linen.
Enter spun polyester. Spun Polyester was first made for industrial use and home furnishings. When Johnston Industries attempted to develop a spun polyester they could utilize in boat coverings they actually ended up with a cloth that was lighter in weight with a finer feel to it. They also found that dying made the cloth even softer. This was a fabric that would be ideal for tablecloths.
Johnston Industries felt so strongly about their breakthrough that they ceased the development of boat coverings. Bob Pomeranz, an expert in cloths, took on the project of improving spun polyester at Johnston Industries. His accomplished knowledge of spinning machines permitted him to spin a cloth free from pilling, the annoying fiber clumps that detract from a cloth’s appearance. The final outcome was a nearly indestructible table linen that would hold its colouring, expel dirt and not shrink. Tablecloths constructed of spun polyester could now have the feel of cotton cloths and most importantly, unlike cotton fiber, a spun poly table cloth would not fade after many washings. To a greater extent, the more you laundered a spun polyester table linen the softer and better it felt to the touch.
Over time the textile industry started to use spun polyester for aprons, chair covers, place mats, skirting and even table napkins. In fact, where table napkins produced of 100% polyester lacked absorption-spun polyester 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.
