EconTalk Virginia Postrel on Textiles and the Fabric of Civilization
Nov 16, 2020
Virginia Postrel, an author and journalist known for her insightful work on textiles, dives into the captivating history of fabrics and their impact on civilization. She reveals how the evolution of textile production mirrors societal progress, from manual labor to modern automation. The discussion touches on the art of dyeing and weaving, emphasizing their cultural significance. Postrel also explores how fabrics have historically symbolized social status, reflecting on the intricate relationship between textiles and human life through the ages.
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Modern Cotton Harvest
- Virginia Postrel witnessed a modern cotton harvest in Lubbock, Texas.
- Machines now harvest eight rows at a time, contrasting with manual labor of the past.
Thread Bottleneck
- Thread production was a major bottleneck in textile creation before the Industrial Revolution.
- This is why the revolution started with thread, significantly impacting living standards.
Spinning Time Comparison
- A pair of jeans requires six miles of thread, spinnable in seconds with modern technology.
- Pre-industrial India, the fastest spinners, took 13 eight-hour days for the same amount.
