"If an excited substance be brought near a ball made of pith, or cork, suspended by a silk thread, the ball will, in the first place, approach the electric, as at a, indicating an attraction towards it, and if the position of the electric will allow, the ball will come into contact with the electric, and adhere to it for a short time, and whill then recede from it, showing that it is repelled, as at b." -Comstock 1850

Electrical Attraction

"If an excited substance be brought near a ball made of pith, or cork, suspended by a silk thread, the…

The altar cloth was embroidered by hand in gold and silk. It includes a drawing of a dove on the bottom. This cloth is used in a church setting.

Altar Cloth

The altar cloth was embroidered by hand in gold and silk. It includes a drawing of a dove on the bottom.…

This table cloth has an arabesque design. It is made of silk, cotton and wool.

Table Cloth

This table cloth has an arabesque design. It is made of silk, cotton and wool.

This table cloth has a French style. It is woven in wool, silk, and cotton.

Table Cloth

This table cloth has a French style. It is woven in wool, silk, and cotton.

An unfertilized ear of corn. Only a few kernals formed.

Unfertilized corn

An unfertilized ear of corn. Only a few kernals formed.

"The electrical machine most usually employed consists of a large circular plate of glass, mounted upon a metallic axis, and supported upon pillars fixed to a secure base, so that the plate can, by means of a handle, w, be turned with ease. Upon the supports of the glass, and fixed so as to press easily but uniformly on the plate, are four rubbers, marked r r r r in the figure; and flaps of silk, s s, oiled on one side, are attached to these, and secured to fixed supports by several silk cords. When the machine is put in motion, these flaps of silk are drawn tightly against the glass, and thus the friction is increased, and electricity excited. The points p p collect the electricity from the glass, and convey it to the conductor, c, which is supported by the glass rod g." —Wells, 1857

Electrical Machine

"The electrical machine most usually employed consists of a large circular plate of glass, mounted upon…

"A form of an electrical machine. S being the glass cylinder turning on an axis, Y the conductor, F the rubber, A A supports." —Wells, 1857

Electrical Machine

"A form of an electrical machine. S being the glass cylinder turning on an axis, Y the conductor, F…

The first parachute invented by Andre-Jacques Garnerin. The first jump was carried out with a silk parachute on October 22, 1797.

Garnerin's Parachute Ascending

The first parachute invented by Andre-Jacques Garnerin. The first jump was carried out with a silk parachute…

The first parachute invented by Andre-Jacques Garnerin. The first jump was carried out with a silk parachute on October 22, 1797.

Garnerin's Parachute Decending

The first parachute invented by Andre-Jacques Garnerin. The first jump was carried out with a silk parachute…

This Medieval textile pattern is a richly embroidered French silk tapestry. It is a 15th century design that includes organic elements with a geometrical framing.

Medieval Textile Pattern

This Medieval textile pattern is a richly embroidered French silk tapestry. It is a 15th century design…

This modern pattern is a Japanese design made out of silk. It is a repeating pattern of a bird.

Modern Pattern

This modern pattern is a Japanese design made out of silk. It is a repeating pattern of a bird.

This textile pattern is a 12th century design made of silk and gold. It is found in a tomb in the Abbey of St. Germain des pres in Paris, France.

Textile Pattern

This textile pattern is a 12th century design made of silk and gold. It is found in a tomb in the Abbey…

"Silk is the peculiar glossy thread spun by the caterpillars or larvae of species of moths, and a well-known kind of fabric manufactured from it."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Silkworm

"Silk is the peculiar glossy thread spun by the caterpillars or larvae of species of moths, and a well-known…

A silkworm and a moth.

Silkworm

A silkworm and a moth.

"This important insect is a native of the north of China; and a great portion of the supplies of silk for Europe and America are still derived from that country." — Goodrich, 1859

Silkworm Moth, Caterpillar, and Chrysalis

"This important insect is a native of the north of China; and a great portion of the supplies of silk…

"The most remarkable organs perceptable on the abdomen of the spiders are the <em>spinnerets</em>, by means of which they spin their curious and often beautiful webs, which have attracted the attention and excited the admitation of mankind in all ages. These spinnerets are little teat-like organs, placed close to the extremity of the abdomen, on its lower surface." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Spinnerets of a spider

"The most remarkable organs perceptable on the abdomen of the spiders are the spinnerets, by…

A diagram of a pollen tube through silk to ovary.

Pollen Tube

A diagram of a pollen tube through silk to ovary.

The medieval maniple valence is an embroidered band of silk that is typically worn by priests in the Roman Catholic church. It is ornamented with cords, tassels and embroidery.

Medieval Maniple Valence

The medieval maniple valence is an embroidered band of silk that is typically worn by priests in the…