"According to the American Chemical Society, in 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first incandescent light bulb. It used electricity to heat a think strip of material, called a filament, until it glowed. Edison may also have created the first commercial carbon fiber. Early filaments, were made from bamboo slivers which were formed into the proper size and shape then baked them at high temperatures. Since bamboo consists mostly of cellulose, a natural linear polymer made of repeating units of glucose, the filament was 'carbonized,' when heated. It became a true carbon copy of the starting material -- an all-carbon fiber with the same exact shape. Tungsten wire soon displaced these carbon filament, but they were still used on U.S. Navy ships as late as 1960 because they withstood ship vibrations better than tungsten", writes SWTC.
Apparently, Black Diamond fiber is resistant to ultra violet rays and SWTC writes that it also possesses anti-odor properties as well as the ability to adjust to both humidity and dryness. I am thinking of socks here. Another thing to learn to knit soon!
Black Diamond was described as a top that glides from your hand and it certainly does that. It comes in 1/2 pound bags. When you first take it out of the bag you cannot believe how soft it is, and the shine is amazing. I cannot wait to ply this hand spun fiber. I will post a finished skein so you can see my results soon.
Bamboo is made from the bamboo plant. It is described as being in the grass family and it is very fast growing.
The fiber is cool to the skin and it should be perfect for Arizona.
I will have a limited amount at my booth in Tucson so check out the fiber section of my web store to order your Black Diamond. www.rowenaart.net/store
Read more about "Fibers Through Time", a show and conference through the Arizona Federation at:
http://www.lasr.net/pages/city.php?Tucson&Arizona&&City_ID=AZ0411025&Event_ID=AZ0411025e081&VE=Y