Silk, the Thread that Tied the World

A historical account of the origins of silk and how the manufacturing of this textile was transformed by the silk trade.

Over a thousand years ago the Chinese discovered that the slender filaments that formed the cocoon of the silk moth could be woven into beautiful shimmering fabrics. For centuries they were able to keep the process a secret, but eventually started to trade the valuable cloth with the west, along the silk road. Silk was a luxury item that bestowed prestige, so it was inevit...