Textile glass fibre (Fiberglas)
Fibra de vidrio textil (Fiberglas)
- Date
- 1932-1938 · confidence medium
- Place
- Newark, Ohio, United States
- Credited to
- Games Slayter (Owens-Illinois / Owens-Corning)
- Field
- Matter & energy
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
Continuous glass filaments drawn through fine holes at high speed, which can be spun and woven like a textile fibre. They led to fireproof curtains, insulation and plastic reinforcement.
Slayter obtained fibrous glass at Owens-Illinois around 1932-1933 and Owens-Corning (1938) marketed it; spun glass had been shown in 1893 (Libbey). Whether it should be credited to Slayter or to a group of researchers is debated.
What it led to
- thermal and acoustic insulation in buildings and ships
- glass-fibre reinforced plastics (boats, bodywork)
- fireproof fabrics and industrial filters