INVISTA HAVE DECIDED TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF LYCRA WITH A SPECIAL GIFT TO THE NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME.

The revolutionary Lycra fiber was invented in 1958 by Joseph C. Shivers, a DuPont chemist who, sixty years later, has been recognised for his invention by the National Inventors Hall of Fame in a posthumous admission in 2018. In addition to this donation, Dave Trerotola, President of INVISTA Apparel, stated that there will be initiatives throughout 2018 to celebrate the Lycra legacy.
Photo: Courtesy of AATCC

Originally invented to replace uncomfortable rubber threads in underwear, Lycra, boasting an ability to stretch and return to its original shape despite many wears and washes, brought with it such benefits as lightness, flexibility and comfort, thus modernizing the lingerie and swimwear sector. Over the years, it has become a vital material in all sectors of clothing - from ready-to-wear to sportswear, to footwear and men's underwear - and has also played a role in the development of new segments such as shapewear, stretch denim, compression sportswear and athleisure. After 60 years, Lycra is now available in a range of more than 200 types of differentiated fibers.