36015 May 1940: Nylon stockings go on sale across the United States
In 60 words
On 15 May 1940, nylon stockings went on sale in shops across the United States, and about four million pairs were sold within days. Nylon, invented at DuPont by Wallace Carothers's team, was the first fully synthetic fibre. It is now used in clothing, ropes and countless products.