Pier 3 Condo

The word linen has its origin from a generic word ‘linium’. One of the world’s oldest fabrics, linen is manufactured from the fibres of the flax plant, which is a completely natural resource. Linen as a textile has a history that goes back many thousands of years. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibres, yarn, and fabric some 8000 B.C.E. ago have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Plutarch writes about the reason behind the use of the flax plant; having blue coloured flowers, in the making of the cloth by Egyptians, meant that “the universe itself is surrounded with the ethereal blue of the sky.”

Linen is an exceptional filter and it guards against chemically reactive mediums. It seriously cuts down the gamma radiations almost to half, resulting in the security of human beings against solar radiations. Linen is exceedingly hygroscopic, as it is capable to swiftly take in and give up wetness. Before giving ‘wet’ feeling, linen cloth can suck up 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 has high air permeability and heat conductivity properties. Linen cloth does not build up static electricity. It conducts heat five times more than wool and nineteen times more than silk. In burning climate, it is found to decrease the skin temperature three degrees Celsius more than other fabrics. According to some studies, it efficiently lessens the perspiration rate of a being 1.5 times more than cotton clothes, and twice more than viscose clothes. In the meantime, in cold climate, linen works inside out and retains heat completely.

In ancient Egypt, linen was used as currency. Due to the strength of linen, paper made of it is generally very strong; due to this reason the United States and many other countries use 25% linen in their currency.

Linen is composed of flax, thus possesses the quality of being resistant to rot. Mummies of Egyptian Pharaohs preserved to the present day are wrapped in the finest linen shrouds, found in Pyramids dating back to more than 5,000 B.C. Moreover, Egyptian priests wore linen, which symbolised purity and truth.

Another important fact associated with linen is that one of the most renowned manuscripts, ‘The Linen Book’ by ancient Etruscans, was written on linen in the 7th century B.C. Moreover, Liber Linteus is the only surviving book made from linen.

Linen fabric is one of the ideal conventional materials for oil paintings. In Europe it is the solitary stuff support accessible in art shops. Linen is better than cotton for its strength, which is 2 to 3 times more than cotton, resilience and archival reliability. In primeval times, it was also exploited as canvas in painting.