5 Facts About Linen
The word linen has its source from a general phrase 'linium'. One of the world's oldest fabrics, linen is manufactured from the fibres of the flax plant, which is a totally natural resource. Linen as a fabric has a history that goes back numerous thousands of years. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibres, yarn, and cloth about 8000 B.C.E. ago have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Plutarch explains concerning the cause behind the employment of the flax plant; having blue coloured flowers, in the making of the material by Egyptians, implied that "the universe itself is surrounded with the ethereal blue of the sky."
Linen is an excellent filter and it protects against chemically reactive mediums. It greatly reduces the gamma radiations almost to half, resulting in the protection of human beings against solar radiations. Linen is extremely hygroscopic, as it is capable to quickly absorb and give up moisture. Before giving 'wet' feeling, linen cloth can absorb as much as 20% of its dry weight.
It is medically proven that linen lessens bacteriological properties. As it is resistant to fungus and bacteria, it is found to be an effective barrier to some diseases. It is also effective in the treatment of allergies, and helps in inflammatory conditions and in the treatment of some neurological diseases. According to medical studies, it helps to get rid of several skin diseases, from bedsores and ordinary rashes to chronic eczema.
Linen possesses high air permeability and heat conductivity properties. Linen stuff does not amass static electricity. It conducts warmth five times more than wool and nineteen times more than silk. In hot conditions, it is found to cut the skin temperature three degrees Celsius more than other fabrics. According to a few studies, it usefully cuts down the perspiration time of a person 1.5 times more than cotton clothes, and twice more than viscose clothes. Meanwhile, in cold weather, linen works contrariwise and retains warmness entirely.
In primordial Egypt, linen was employed as currency. Owing to the strength of linen, paper made of it is usually extremely strong; owing to this cause the United States and numerous other nations employ 25% linen in their currency.
Linen is composed of flax, accordingly possesses the quality of being defiant to rot. Mummies of Egyptian Pharaohs preserved to the present times are wrapped in the supreme linen shrouds, found in Pyramids dating back to over 5,000 B.C. additionally; Egyptian priests dressed in linen, which embodied cleanliness and truth.
One more significant truth associated with linen is that one of the most famous manuscripts, 'The Linen Book' by primordial Etruscans, was written on linen during the 7th century B.C. Moreover, Liber Linteus is the single surviving volume prepared from linen.
Linen fabric is one of the preferred conventional supports for oil paintings. In Europe it is the only fabric support available in art shops. Linen is preferred to cotton for its strength, which is 2 to 3 times more than cotton, durability and archival integrity. In ancient times, it was also used as canvas in painting.