Nylon is a strong, flexible synthetic material invented in 1935 that changed the world in ways big and small. Unlike cotton or wool, which come from plants and animals, nylon is made by chemists combining chemicals in laboratories and factories. When it was first created, nylon seemed almost magical: it was stronger than silk, more elastic than other fabrics, and didn't absorb water easily.

Nylon quickly found its way into everything. The first nylon products were toothbrush bristles and women's stockings, which became so popular that when World War II started and nylon was needed for parachutes and ropes, people were disappointed they couldn't buy their favorite stockings anymore. Today you'll find nylon in backpacks, tents, jackets, guitar strings, ropes, carpet, and countless other products.

What makes nylon special is its combination of strength and flexibility. A nylon rope can hold tremendous weight without breaking, while a nylon jacket folds up small in your backpack. The invention of nylon showed that scientists could create entirely new materials that didn't exist in nature, opening the door to thousands of other synthetic materials we use every day.