Silk Production-A History of Sericulture
Silk was first discovered and developed in China more than 2,500 years ago. There are many myths about its origin, including tales of a princess who turned into a goddess because of her discovery. Actually, it’s more likely that she was “worshipped” because of the value of her discovery.
And silk was valuable-so valuable, in fact, that only royalty was allowed to wear silk garments, and the process of sericulture was kept a closely guarded secret for more than a thousand years. But once silk was discovered by outsiders, it became one of the most prized of all goods traded by China to its neighbors. In fact, the road that was built between eastern China and the Mediterranean was called the Silk Road because silk was the most common item transported on it.
Finally, though, other nations and cultures gained the knowledge of silk production, probably through the efforts of travelers-like monks-who hid the eggs in their garments or belongings. By the early part of the third century sericulture had spread to Korea, Japan, and to India, and by the sixth century it had reached the Roman Empire, Spain, and Sicily, spreading eventually to the rest of Europe. By the ninth century there was so much silk being produced outside China that efforts by a Chinese rebel to halt silk production there had little effect on the world’s supply.
Silk production in Europe increased, with Italy being the first country to lead production in the twelfth century. Eventually, though, England took over this position, partly as a result of advances in textile production in that country in the 18th century.
Two other developments also helped promote sericulture. The invention of the Jacquard loom in 1801 allowed much traditional handweaving to be mechanized, which increased the need for all fibers being used for thread, including silk. Also, Louis Pasteur’s discovery in 1870 of a method to identify the presence of pebrine disease in silk moths helped put an end to that epidemic, which was seriously affecting the moth population.
Sericulture was also attempted in the United States, in the early settlements in Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina, and later in New England. It was also tried in California and in Utah, as a cottage industry engaged in by the Mormon settlers there. But most of these efforts were abandoned when those who tried it discovered how tedious and time-consuming it was. So today the leading position in the production of silk has reverted to its originator-China. And the second largest producer is Japan. India, though, leads the world in the production of tussah silk.
Sericulture is still mostly a cottage industry, and that probably won’t change. It’s hard to mechanize something that is actually a form of animal husbandry. So it’s unlikely that silk will ever be as inexpensive and as commonplace as fibers which can be grown and processed more cheaply-like wool or cotton. But this may only serve to increase the appreciation of this beautiful luxury fiber.
