Where does Acetate come from?

Acetate comes from the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Britain, first documented in the 1920s.

Plate No. 120fabric

The high satin sheen that made acetate a lining and eveningwear cloth.

First documented: 1920s
Origin: Switzerland and Britain, United Kingdom
Fiber: cellulose acetate
Weave: woven from cellulose acetate, often satin
Family: manufactured

Plate No. 120 · fabric

Acetate

Acetate is a second regenerated-cellulose fiber, but where rayon reforms the cellulose itself, acetate chemically converts it into a new compound, cellulose acetate, before spinning. The result is lustrous, crisp, and silk-like, with a luxurious sheen that made it a favorite for linings, eveningwear, and satin. It dyes and drapes beautifully but is weak when wet and sensitive to heat and to some solvents, so it demands gentle care. The Dreyfus brothers, who first made acetate dope for aircraft in the First World War, turned it to textiles in the 1920s.

Illustration: a 1920s textile finishing room, bolts of lustrous satin-finish cloth catching the light on long wooden tables, a worker at a distance unrolling a length to inspect it, frosted factory windows and brass fittings — A 1920s textile finishing room, bolts of lustrous satin-finish cloth catching the light on long wooden tables, a worker at a distance unrolling a length to inspect it, frosted factory windows and brass fittings.

Named for

Named for the acetate chemistry, cellulose treated with acetic acid, that forms the fiber.

Also known as

cellulose acetate

Common questions

What is Acetate made of?: Acetate is a second regenerated-cellulose fiber, but where rayon reforms the cellulose itself, acetate chemically converts it into a new compound, cellulose acetate, before spinning.
Where does Acetate come from?: Acetate comes from the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Britain, first documented in the 1920s.
What is Acetate named after?: Named for the acetate chemistry, cellulose treated with acetic acid, that forms the fiber.