Silk Worm Science By: Polly Roth Period-3

Silk began being used only for clothing and trade Silk began being used only for clothing and trade. Nowadays it is still used mainly for clothing, but has other uses. It is used in the insulation of sophisticated machines, like space vessels. It can also be used for upholstery and furnishing. It is used in wedding veils and wedding dresses. It is also used in decorative articles such as: tassels, pompoms, braids, ribbons, etc. Silk was used for parachutes for the royal air force in world war II. About 50 years ago it was used in the ribbon on typewriters. Advancements in Silk

Silk is made in a way you would least expect it Silk is made in a way you would least expect it. It comes from silk worms cocoons. First, the cocoons are placed in hot water to release silk filaments and kill the silk worm inside. While the cocoons are in the hot water, workers find the loose end, and then twist them. Finally, workers measure the strings to a certain length and twist them. In this stage it is called raw silk. Then the silk is woven and dyed into cloth. This process is called sericulture. Silk Production

Other facts about Silk China is leading in silk production. It takes 30,000 silk worms to produce 12 pounds of raw silk. Silk is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Silk was discovered by accident. It fell into an empress's tea and she pulled the strings. Other facts about Silk