Traveling Trunk

Silk is a natural fiber created by many insects, but for production purposes, only the silk of the silk worm is used. Silk can be made into clothing, bedding, and a variety of household decorations as well as canvases for painting, calligraphy, and other writing.

The cultivation of silkworms and silk making can be traced back to 3500 BC in China (50). Silk was originally reserved only for emperors to use or to give as gifts. The popularity of this material spread quickly in China and the surrounding areas. It was prized as a luxury material due to its soft feel and shiny appearance. Silk eventually became a tradable item that Chinese merchants took by caravan to other regions of the world. The international trade of silk was so large that the caravan routes leading as far as India and Europe became known as the Silk Road (51).

China still ranks as the world’s top silk producer, accounting for 50% of total world output. The demand for silk rose over time and led to the eventual creation of synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester that could be used as substitutes. These synthetics cannot completely replace the luxurious appearance and feel of silk.