The History of Spandex — The Stretch Fiber That Replaced Rubber

How did a laboratory-made fiber replace rubber and end up inside almost everything that stretches? 🧵 In this video we unravel the history of spandex — from postwar polymer research and Joseph Shivers' work at DuPont to Lycra girdles, swimsuits, athletic clothing, and the chemistry that changed how fabric could move with the human body. What began as a new synthetic fiber in the late nineteen fifties would quietly transform the clothes people wore, exercised in, and eventually took completely for granted. If you enjoyed this textile history deep dive, like the video, subscribe to Fabric Myths, and leave a comment with the next fabric origin story we should cover next 👇