The Invention of Nylon

On February 28, 1935, at DuPont's research laboratory in Wilmington, Delaware, a team led by Wallace Carothers created a new synthetic polymer that would change fashion forever. This "miracle fiber"—later named nylon—would revolutionize the hosiery industry and end the era of expensive silk stockings.

Wallace Carothers: The Inventor

Wallace Carothers was a brilliant but troubled organic chemist. Harvard-trained, he joined DuPont in 1928 to lead their pure research into polymers—long-chain molecules created by linking smaller molecules together.

Carothers' team experimented with various polymer combinations. Their breakthrough came when they created a fiber that could be drawn out into strong, fine threads with remarkable elasticity. This fiber, initially called "fiber 66," would become nylon.

Tragically, Carothers never saw nylon's success. Suffering from severe depression, he took his own life in 1937, two years before nylon stockings went on sale.

Why Nylon Was Revolutionary

Before nylon, silk stockings were the only option for sheer, elegant leg coverage. Silk had serious drawbacks:

• Expensive: Silk came from Asia, requiring complex processing
• Fragile: Silk stockings snagged and ran easily
• Limited supply: Silk worm production couldn't meet demand
• Import dependent: Most silk came from Japan

Nylon solved all these problems:

• Affordable: Made from coal, air, and water—abundant ingredients
• Stronger: More durable than silk
• Domestic production: Manufactured in American factories
• Consistent quality: No natural variations

The 1939 World's Fair

DuPont introduced nylon to the public at the 1939 New York World's Fair. The company promoted it as a miracle of modern chemistry—stockings made "from coal, air, and water" that were stronger than steel and more beautiful than silk.

The marketing campaign created enormous anticipation. Women across America eagerly awaited the chance to buy these revolutionary stockings.

N-Day: May 15, 1940

DuPont officially released nylon stockings to the public on May 15, 1940—dubbed "N-Day" by the press. The response was overwhelming:

• 4 million pairs sold in the first four days
• 64 million pairs sold in the first year
• Women queued for hours to buy them
• Some stores limited purchases to prevent hoarding

At $1.15 per pair (about $24 today), nylon stockings cost roughly the same as silk but lasted longer. The value proposition was irresistible.

World War II Interruption

Just as nylon stockings conquered the market, World War II changed everything. In 1942, the U.S. government requisitioned all nylon production for the war effort:

• Parachutes: Nylon replaced silk for military parachutes
• Rope and cord: Ships and aircraft used nylon lines
• Tents and ponchos: Lightweight, waterproof military gear

Nylon stockings vanished from stores overnight. Women hoarded their remaining pairs, mended runs carefully, and some resorted to painting seam lines on bare legs to fake the look.

The Nylon Shortage

During the war years (1942-1945), nylon stockings became precious contraband. A black market emerged:

• Black market prices reached $20/pair (about $350 today)
• Some women traded war rations for stockings
• Leg makeup became popular as an alternative
• "Stocking paint" with painted-on seams sold well

Post-War Return

When the war ended in 1945, DuPont announced nylon stockings would return to stores. The response was the Nylon Riots—women so desperate for stockings that crowds turned violent at some stores.

By 1946, production normalized and nylon stockings became universally available. They would dominate the hosiery market for the next 50+ years.

The Name "Nylon"

Where did the name "nylon" come from? Several theories exist:

• "No-run" theory: Marketing claimed it wouldn't run (it did)
• NY + London: Cities where it was developed—likely false
• Random selection: DuPont tested hundreds of names, landed on "nylon"

The true origin remains uncertain. DuPont never officially explained the name's source.

Legacy

Nylon's invention extended far beyond stockings:

• Toothbrush bristles (first nylon product, 1938)
• Carpet fiber
• Clothing fabrics
• Industrial materials

But it was stockings that made nylon famous. The word "nylons" became synonymous with sheer hosiery—a linguistic testament to how completely this synthetic fiber transformed the industry.