Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 144, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1903 — Crinoline. [ARTICLE]

Crinoline.

Crinoline bad Its origin is a woven fabric composed of hair and linen (flax) warp; bence the name. This fabric was first used for shoes, then for bonnets, -the word being coined In 1830. As this article was costly and did not extend the dress to the desired bulk light steel hoops were fitted with tape upon the bird cage principle. So popular was the crinoline in 1862 thkt the rolling of the steel, developed a great trade in Sheffield, and one firm alone averaged an output of from ten to fifteen tons a week. Several deaths occurring by fire through the use of crinoline killed the fashion, but Dr. Richardson in bis “Field of Diseases” gives an instance of a lady escaping from the effects of being struck by lightning by the hopps acting as conductors.