Why are TEXTILES important?
Textiles have been vital to the development of human kind and have been at the forefront of technology. The developments of netting and basket weaving helped allow both hunting and gathering food and eventually led to woven and knit fabrics. Rope has allowed humans to construct and woven structures have allowed these constructions to become stronger. We can see evidence of this in buildings, fences, and bridges to name a few. The Jacquard loom is said to be the earliest prototype of a computer, and gives us the binary system used today in all kinds of technology. Clothing has also been an incredibly important resource for humans because it allows people to thrive in all types of climates and conditions. Textile mills were the driving force behind the Industrial Revolution and the Silk Road created a rich trade route that connected many influential cultures and communities. Textiles are often featured in art as well as seen with the drapery of Greek sculptures and weavings/tapestries have been used to depict stories and history through language and imagery. In modern times, textiles are sometimes thought to be decorative and are often taken for granted, but have proved in the past and continue today to be incredibly instrumental in the development and progress of mankind.