The current page contains some background facts about clothing and footwear. The processes explained here are useful in looking at the time line, which points out significant events in the automation of clothing manufacturing. In addition to innovation, technology needs to be complemented with market demand and marketing strategies for a product to succeed. The following companies started with simple ideas and grew them into huge successes: L. L. Bean and Nike. The purpose of this site is to provide information, but I do include some analysis. View my sources if you require additional information of the topics discussed. Also, you might want to view my disclaimer and other information about this site.

          Protection: Depending on climate, a culture may tend towards a certain style of clothing. Cold climates usually indicate more clothing, and vice versa, but this is not always the case. It depends on the culture. Most cultures have accepted clothing as a necessity because of modesty.
          Identification: Clothes are useful in their ability to differentiate individuals. Type of clothing can indicate occupation or social status.
          Aesthetics: They provide decoration or comfort that is based on a culture's beliefs. Aesthetics also help to enhance sexual attraction. Clothing or the lack thereof has always been a stimulus for sexual attraction.

          Spinning: This is the process of twisting fibers into thread and yarn. In a nutshell, before spinning can begin, it requires the following preliminary treatments: cleaning, sorting, carding, and further stretching and straightening. Cleaning is necessary to purify and disentangle the material. Carding involves both loosening the fibers and stretching them. They are then stretched and straightened into rovings. Now, the spinning can begin. In a simple spinning wheel, the roving is attached to a stick called a distaff. The roving is fed to a spindle (weighted with a flyer), which spins and twists the fiber.
          Weaving: This is the process of integrating yarn to form cloth. Weaving requires a longitudinal warp, which is a line of parallel threads. Another set of threads called the weft is then fed through the warp at a right angle. At weaving's simplest, the weft is fed by hand over and under alternating threads of the warp. With a loom, the warp yarn is strung on different harnesses. When a harness is lifted, all of its attached warp yarn moves, creating a shed (opening). The weft yarn can then be thrown through with a shuttle.
          Coloring/Finishing: This includes bleaching, dyeing, printing, and finishing. Bleaching removes the natural color of a fabric to prepare it for the other color processes. This took several months to complete up until the 18th century. New bleaching solutions, such as chlorine, sped up the process. Dyeing has historically used natural materials, but synthetic dyes were being made in the mid-19th century. Printing involves the use of some sort of template to form designs on clothes. Prior to silk screening, also developed mid-19th century, blocks were used to imprint the design. Silk screening involves the use of a stencil and fine mesh. The receptive surface has the mesh, then the stencil on top of it. Ink is applied over the surface, and the open areas of the stencil allow ink through the mesh. The finishing process can include brushing, cutting, and application of protective solutions.

          Shoes can be simply stated as having two components, the sole and the upper. To protect against the elements, the sole of the shoe needs to be strong and water-resistant. Leather, wood, cork, rubber and synthetic materials have all been used as protection for the bottom of the foot. The sole is attached to the rest of the shoe, which can be made of leather, canvas, or synthetic materials. Shoes are created to fit molds called lasts, which are shaped like the human foot.
          Historically, when the shoe-making process was still a handicraft, shoemakers have used nails and wooden pegs to attach the sole to its upper. In the middle of the 19th century, sewing machines made possible sewing the sole to the upper. Functionally, shoes have gained more recreational uses in the 20th century. In addition to protecting against the elements, shoes now need to provide cushioning and support, and they are custom made for a greater range of purposes.

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