Recovering identity: the role of textual evidence in identifying forgotten azlon fibres from the mid-20th century

Brooks, Mary M. (2007) Recovering identity: the role of textual evidence in identifying forgotten azlon fibres from the mid-20th century. Hayward, Maria and Kramer, Elizabeth (eds.) In Textiles and Text. Archetype Publications. pp. 29-33 .

Abstract

Text has been critical in establishing the identity of a group of largely forgotten mid-20th-century textiles, the azlons. These fibres were developed from proteins in milk, eggs, peanuts, soya beans and corn by researchers in America, Europe and Asia who were seeking substitutes for wool. This technological innovation was driven by concern that imminent war meant normal supplies of wool would become unavailable. This paper describes two of the main types of textual evidence used in developing an understanding of these fibres. The first derives from the very names of the fibres themselves and is evident in the text which is closest to the textile – the label giving the name of the fibre. Given that so few surviving examples of these fibres have been identified in museum collections, the second source of textual and contextual evidence is fashion and technical magazines, trade literature, business archives and patents as well as personal records and interviews. The huge potential of these sources will be discussed. It is hoped that this review of the benefits and limitations of textual sources will help curators and conservators identify such fibres in their collections.

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