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History of the sock
Socks: More Than Just Footwear! 🧦
Did you know socks have been around for centuries? 🤯 From cozy hand-knit ones to high-tech machine-made pairs, they've come a long way. Let's dive into their interesting journey:
🏺 Ancient History
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Oldest Socks: 1,600 years old! Found in ancient Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. Made from red wool and designed for sandals.
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King Tut's tomb contained several pairs of socks made from linen, alongside a generous collection of gold and jewels, proving their worth far exceeded that of today.
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Check out above the oldest knitted items in the Victoria & Albert's collection in London! These socks were made way back in 300-499 AD and were dug up in Egypt in the late 1800s.👡 They’ve got a cool divided toe, perfect for rocking with sandals.Crafted in stocking stitch with three-ply wool, these socks were made using the single-needle technique. It's a slow, sewing-like method that paved the way for the faster knitting we use today.
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Greek Piloi: In the 8th century BC, Greeks wore socks made of animal hair.
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Roman Udones: By the 2nd century AD, Romans were sewing fitted socks.
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European Puttees: By 5 BC, European elites wore socks as a symbol of purity.
🎨 Medieval Times
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Middle Ages: Socks became tighter, more colourful, and had garters to stay up.
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Symbol of Wealth: By 1,000 AD, socks symbolized wealth. Even King Tut was buried with fancy linen socks!
🧵 Modernization Begins
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William Lee's Knitting Loom: In 1589, this English inventor made knitting easier. Fun fact: Queen Elizabeth I refused to patent his invention to protect jobs.
💥 Industrial Revolution
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Mass Production: Cheaper materials made socks more affordable.
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Nylon Revolution: In 1938, blending yarns like Nylon changed the game. Before that, it was all about silk, cotton, or wool.
From ancient tombs to modern wardrobes, socks have always been a staple. Next time you slip on a pair, remember you're part of a long and colourful history! 🌈👣
🌿 Origin of bamboo fiber socks
Beijing University is credited with making modern bamboo cloth, but it is possible that some manufacturers came up with the process in 1864.
The sock industry has been revolutionized by the use of bamboo fiber. Although bamboo has been a staple in daily life for millennia, bamboo fabric is a relatively new innovation.
To make bamboo fabric, bamboo stems are ground down and their natural sugars are washed away. The material is then bleached, using environmentally friendly techniques, to remove colours and spun into yarn.
The first patents for bamboo fiber appeared in 1864 and 1869, but high costs prevented its widespread use in clothing. In 1881, a new patent combined bamboo fiber with wool, paving the way for the modern bamboo fabric we know today, which is moisture wicking, breathable, odour resistant and thermoregulating.
From ancient tombs to modern wardrobes, socks have always been a staple. Next time you slip on a pair, remember you're part of a long and colourful history! 🌈👣
Ready to rock your socks? 🧦✨
Check out Lambchopssocks collection here.