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THE EVOLUTION OF CORDUROY: HOW AND WHY?

Mara V

2022-03-27 07:26:01

THE EVOLUTION OF CORDUROY: HOW AND WHY?

Grooming has really changed the game for recreational skiing over the years. It might not mean bottomless powder, but shredding fresh corduroy is sometimes a great alternative to making it down the mountain, especially when off-piste snow conditions are highly suspect.

It all began with horses compacting roads as they pulled agricultural rollers behind them, and by 1939 the concept was being adopted (and adapted) for ski hills. At the time, the ski hill variety looked more like a 1200-pound network of chains with spikes dragged by a tractor.

Meanwhile, expeditions to the South Pole in the early 1900’s used the first tracked vehicles. The vehicles failed, the crew replaced them with ponies, and everyone on the mission died in Antarctica. It was only after WWII and with much development that there were machines sufficiently reliable to put on snow, the first of which was introduced by the Tucker Sno-Cat Corporation.

By the 60’s, grooming contraptions and Snowcats collided to create the original ‘groomer’. With the development of the power tiller and by adding a blade to the front to flatten the snow surface, they looked much like the snow cats of today. The rest is history! With tracking, sensors that calculate snow-depth, and soon-to-be fully electric models, the SnowCat isn’t done evolving just yet...

Curious to learn more about the history of SnowCats? Check out this article to get some more bites.
Quyen S

2022-03-29 23:40:55

The high-tech British Revolutionary textile equipment that was developed in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s produced a 100% cotton, ribbed dobby with high density weft. Cutting machines were developed to cut the dobby’s piles which, after brushing, made velvety piles. And that’s how corduroy became what it is today.
Quyen S

2022-03-29 23:42:55

HISTORY OF CORDUROY
Corduroy dates back to ancient Egypt, where fabric was woven near the ancient capital of Al-Fustat. Named after the city, this heavy fabric became known as Fustian. Unlike corduroy, it didn’t have the raised texture. The corduroy we recognise today originated in 19th century Manchester, where its hard-wearing nature made it ideal for factory wear. For this reason, corduroy is known as ‘Manchester’ in some parts of Europe.

It was also adopted as part of military uniforms - including the corduroy breeches worn by the Women’s Land Army during World War II. In the post-war period, corduroy’s popularity waxed and waned until it was revived by the 1960s counter-culture. Edward Heath – The President of the Board of Trade even claimed that The Beatles "saved the British corduroy industry".

Corduroy reached peak popularity in the 1970s, where it was worn as a symbol of anti-establishment. Loved by musicians, artists and directors - it has been famously worn by Woody Allen, Bob Dylan, Pablo Picasso and Wes Anderson.

Today, we use corduroy produced by Lancashire based Brisbane Moss, who have been producing the finest fabrics for over 150 years. They're now the largest remaining British manufacturer of corduroy. As seen in the chunky cord of our Musso Harrington Jacket and Freya Trench Coat, and fine needlecord of our Jane Box Jacket.

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THE EVOLUTION OF CORDUROY: HOW AND WHY?

HISTORY OF CORDUROY