
3 5 c m
40cm
actual image size: 32cm x 27cm
Description
The border of this hankerchief is made of artificial silk, based on cellulose nitrate, and is dated to c 1883. This artificial silk fibre was developed by the chemist and physicist Sir Joseph Swan (1828-1914) originally for use as filaments in his lamps and exhibited at the Society of Chemical Industry in 1884.
Image Details
Image Ref.
10276882
© Science Museum / Science & Society Picture Library