16 Textiles in Defence* Richard a Scott Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency, Science and Technology Division, Flagstaff Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 7SS, UK
16 Textiles in defence* Richard A Scott Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency, Science and Technology Division, Flagstaff Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 7SS, UK 16.1 Introduction To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving Peace (George Washington, 1790)1 Defence forces on land, sea, or air throughout the world are heavily reliant on tech- nical textiles of all types – whether woven, knitted, nonwoven, coated, laminated, or other composite forms. Technical textiles offer invaluable properties for military land forces in particular, who are required to move, live, survive and fight in hostile environments. They have to carry or wear all the necessities for comfort and sur- vival and thus need the most lightweight, compact, durable, and high performance personal clothing and equipment. The life-critical requirements for protecting indi- viduals from both environmental and battlefield threats have ensured that the major nations of the world expend significant resources in developing and providing the most advanced technical textiles for military use. 16.2 Historical background Military textile science is not new, and one of the earliest documented studies can probably be credited to Count Rumford, or Benjamin Thompson. Rumford was an American army colonel and scientist who issued a paper in 1792 entitled ‘Philo- sophical Transactions’, which reported on the importance of internally trapped air in a range of textile fabrics to the thermal insulation provided by those fabrics.2 He was awarded the Copley Medal for his paper, as the significance of his discovery was recognised immediately. * Copyright MOD (1997) DCTA, Colchester, Essex CO2 7SS 426 Handbook of technical textiles 16.2.1 Pre-Twentieth century Up until the end of the 19th century military land battles were fought at close quar- ters by individual engagements.
[Show full text]