Chinese Innovations Project

1. Chinese Innovations Project • Emily Kyman and Gussie Frederici

2. Silk making is a very important aspect to Chinese life and helped the civilization advanced over time. Silk making started with China’s earliest civilization and helped with their interaction with other cultures. This expensive fabric was a rival to Other materials used for clothing such as cotton and wool. Silk was a symbol of Chinese culture and was also enjoyed as a luxury fabric. These fabrics were not only soft but were woven with beautiful patterns and decorated with hard hand work. In the early years of the production the Chinese were the only ones who knew how to produce this material and as a result it became a valuable trade recourse. The production of silk is still being used in China today and is a very important contributor to their economy.

3. The manufacture and trade of silk was a large help to China’s economy and also helped change their interactions with other countries. The magnificent material was a large supplier to China’s trade. Many countries were in demand for silk cloth and China traded with many countries to help boost their economy. It also helped with China’s interactions with other countries. This interaction with other countries helped form new traditions and new ways in their religion. The merchants were able to bring back new foods and items such as fur and glass in trade of silk. Much of the silk was sent to the west on the Silk Road which was a major trade route. Silk was also an important supporter to Chinese religion. Many important rulers, kings and queens were buried in the luxurious material. The cloth was also used in many rituals. The production and trade of silk helped develop advance the nation’s economy, trade, and interaction with other countries.

4. The world’s silk development has doubled since the last thirty years. The two main producers during this time period have been China and Japan. These two countries together have constructed over fifty percent of the production of silk each year. The use of silk used to be limited to the Chinese until the end of the first millennium. Then the Silk Road was opened across Asia, linking Mediterranean world as well as North Africa and Europe. Today, silk worms are raised on a very large scale to feed the world’s silk production. Worms are fed mulberry leaves, and several days later they roll into a cocoon. Silk is used to produce many more products now than it did thousands of years ago. Today silk is often used for clothing such as shirts, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, pajamas, robes, and sundresses. It can also be used for rugs, bedding and wall hangings. Without the production of silk in the early years China wouldn’t have been able to communicate and trade with other countries and our trade routes today m might not be the same.

5. Fun Fact:Secret of Silk Making • Used the silk from the cocoons of silk worms to make silk thread

6. Bibliography • Brown, Claudia. “Chinese Textiles” Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion. 2005: Gale World History in Context. McCulloch Library, Saint Louis, Missouri. 20 September 2010. <http://ic.galegroup.com> • Kerlogue, Fiona G. "textiles in Southeast Asia." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/> • “Silk.” History of Silk. 2000. 20 September 2010. <http://www.silk-road.com>

7. Bibliography Continued • Artist Unknown. “Blue Majesty.” Date picture taken: Unknown. www.sodahead.com • Artist Unknown. “Pink Blanket.” Date picture taken: Unknown. http://www.bigoo.ws/Backgrounds/color-pink • Artist Unknown. “Raising Silkworms.” Date picture taken: Unknown. http://www.suekayton.com • Matt Harrell. “Thread Colors.” Date picture taken: Unknown. http://blog.memberhub.com

8. Bibliography Continued • Artist Unknown. “Masquerade 4 Green.” Date picture taken: Unknown. September 21, 2010.http://www.layoutsparks.com • Artist Unknown. “Silk Pajamas.” Date picture taken: Unknown. September 21, 2010.http://www.madein-china.com • Allison Neves. “Bring Your Favorite Vacation Destination Home.” Date picture taken: Unknown. September 21, 2010. http://singlemindedwomen.com