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Ask TexUp to about 1900, the only fibres available for textiles for clothing and other uses were wool, flax, cotton and silk, and a few other natural fibres (e.g. hemp, jute, cashmere and other hair fibres). Viscose rayon began to be used around 1900, and nylon in 1939, followed by other synthetics like polyester, acrylic and elastane.
A good source of information for the history of fibres and fabrics is from Fabric Link: Fabric University - the fabric history pages (the manmade fabric section shows the history of synthetics in the US). The same web site has another useful section about the characteristics of the different fabrics at www.FabricLink.com/Characteristics.html. And check out Ferns Sewing Room for the Use and Care of Fiber.
The Kid's Almanac at Lycos has a good encyclopaedia. I found rayon (viscose) and nylon, and you can search for any of the other fibres and fabrics. They also have a Guide to Inventions and Discoveries that includes man-made fibres.
Visit CV's fabric series: 12 for information about silk.
If you're also interested in 19th century costume itself, you'll find many useful links at the Costume Page - 19th Century - Regency and Victorian-era Costume; and don't miss La couturière Parisienne Costume and Fashion Site.
Lastly, you might find some of the sites listed on the Young Embroiderers links page useful, especially the Internet Centre for Canadian Fashion and Design, which has an online dictionary of fabric types and properties.
What other questions have been asked?
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