May 1

Silkworm Surprise

Science can land in your drink at the most unexpected times. In 2698 B.C.—almost 4,700 years ago—the Chinese Empress Si-Ling Chi was drinking her tea when a silkworm's cocoon fell into the cup.

Much to her surprise and interest, the cocoon started to unwind into a single long strand of silk. The strand was very strong. She observed that the silk could be used to make cloth. With the help of her ladies, she developed ways to grow silkworms, unwind and twist the silky strands of their cocoons to make thread, and then weave that thread into a soft cloth.