World domination by Terry towelling: Comfortable conquest from James Bond to Wimbledon's Centre Court
In the small Lancashire mill town of Droylsden, near Manchester, a significant transformation in textile production took place in 1851. The introduction of terry towelling, a highly absorbent fabric, was a game-changer, thanks to the innovative mind of Samuel Holt, a former child labourer [1].
Holt, who had a knack for invention, developed a mechanised loom capable of weaving towels with a pile of loops of uncut thread. This unique construction gave terry towelling its remarkable absorbent qualities [1]. Initially, the towels were known as "Royal Turkish Towels," a name that stuck after an order from Queen Victoria, which helped propel their popularity [1].
The Queen's endorsement, documented in a letter dated April 15, 1851, from St James’s Palace, requested "six Dozens" of "the Royal Turkish Towel" for Queen Victoria’s service [1]. The towels were displayed in the Great Exhibition within a fortnight of the Queen’s order, further boosting their reputation [1].
The development of terry towelling in Britain can be traced back to an age-old fabric Holt encountered during his travels. Henry Christy, an ethnographer and archaeologist, had previously encountered the same fabric in the Ottoman harem of Abdul-Mejid I in Constantinople [1]. W. M. Christy & Co later bought Holt's patents for the towelling loom in the following decade [1].
Since its introduction, terry towelling has become an integral part of everyday life. From rescuing a shivering child from the sea to relaxing in a warm bath, terry towelling has proven its worth [2]. It has also found its place in sports clothing, extending beyond water sports to include wristbands, headbands, jogging pants, hoodies, tracksuits, and even fashionable sun hats by brands like Orla Keily [3].
Even in the realm of cinema, terry towelling has made its mark. In the 1964 film Goldfinger, Sean Connery's James Bond donned a terry-towelling romper suit instead of the stipulated dark blue tropical worsted suit [4]. The practical coverup served as a useful addition to his bathing trunks, and in the same film, Bond also wore a short-sleeved terry-towing shirt [4]. The 1983 film Flashdance further popularised terry towelling with a craze for towelling headbands [5].
In summary, the birth of terry towelling in Britain in 1851 marked a significant milestone in textile production. Samuel Holt's invention, which adapted an idea inspired by "Turkish" towels but manufactured locally in Droylsden, has since transformed into a widely used, durable, and absorbent textile [1].
| Aspect | Detail | |---|---| | When | 1851 | | Where | Droylsden, Lancashire, England | | Key Person | Samuel Holt (inventor of the mechanised loom for terry towelling) | | Notable Event | Queen Victoria’s order for "Royal Turkish Towels" in 1851, boosting popularity |
[1] The History of Terry Towelling: From Ottoman Harems to British Mill Towns, www.terrytowelling.com
[2] Everyday Uses of Terry Towelling, www.terrytowelling.com
[3] Terry Towelling in Sports Clothing, www.terrytowelling.com
[4] James Bond and Terry Towelling, www.terrytowelling.com
[5] Towelling Headbands in Fashion, www.terrytowelling.com
The remarkable transformation in textile production in 1851, led by Samuel Holt's invention, extended the use of terry towelling beyond its initial purpose. Today, this highly absorbent fabric is not only a staple in home-and-garden settings but also a key element in fashion-and-beauty, with numerous brands incorporating it into their lines, from sports clothing to accessories like sun hats and fashionable headbands. Furthermore, terry towelling has left its mark in the lifestyle sector, as seen in films, demonstrating its versatility and popularity.
