The Cash Trio

It was in England in 1941 that British scientists John Whinfield and James Dickson first invented poly fabric. However, it wasn’t until 1950 that an American company named Dupont began to make polyester in the United States.

Since 1960 polyester cloth has become the most widely used material in the production of garments. This is due, in part, to its ability to resist both fading and shrinking. In addition to the production of clothing, companies discovered that poly fabric worked well in the manufacturing of table linens, chair covers, placemats, table skirting and aprons. As well received as it was for apparel and home decor, 100% poly cloth was not the best pick for table napkins. Table napkins made of 100% polyester lacked absorption and did not have the feel of cotton fiber, which one associated with high-priced table linen.

Along came spun poly fabric. Spun polyester was initially developed for heavy-duty use and home furnishings. In an effort to make a boat cover from spun polyester, Johnston Industries unknowingly produced a spun poly that, compared to its predecessor, was lighter in weight with an better feeling to it. While dying this new version of spun poly, they learned that the cloth became even softer, making it perfect for table cloths.

Such a meaningful discovery had Johnston Industries discontinuing their development of boat coverings. In order to better the spun poly fabric that had been made, Johnston Industries decided to hire a textile expert by the name of Bob Pomeranz. Bob’s expert knowledge of spinning machines allowed him to spin a cloth free from pilling, the irritating fiber clumps that take away from a cloth’s appearance. Johnston Industries’ finished product was a durable tablecloth resistant to shrinkage with the power to maintain its coloring and release soil.

Spun polyester could now be used to produce tablecoths with the feel of cotton fiber cloth. Best of all, unlike cotton fiber, a spun polyester tablecloth would remain colorfast , even after being laundered umpteen times. To a greater extent, the more you laundered a spun poly tablecloth the softer and better it would feel to the touch.

The textile industry found that spun poly was good, not just for table linens, but in the making of chair covers, place mats, table skirting, aprons and even napkins. In fact, spun poly table napkins were quite absorbant, a feature that 100% polyester napkins lacked.

Both 100% polyester and spun polyester have their place, not just in the house, but in restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals and the party rental industry as well.