String (structure): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Flexible structure made from fibers twisted together}}

{{other uses|String (disambiguation)}}

'''String''' is a long flexible [[structuretool]] made from [[fiber]]s twisted together into a single strand, or from multiple such strands which are in turn twisted together. String is used to tie, bind, or hang other objects. It is also used as a material to make things, such as textiles, and in arts and crafts. String is a simple [[tool]], and its use by humans is known to have been developed tens of thousands of years ago.<ref name="Evans and Webster">Susan Toby Evans, David L. Webster, ''Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia'' (2013), p. 812.</ref> In [[Mesoamerica]], for example, string was invented some 20,000 to 30,000 years ago, and was made by twisting plant fibers together.<ref name="Evans and Webster"/> String may also be a component in other tools, and in devices as diverse as weapons, musical instruments, and toys. [[File:Blue+Red String Under Microscope (40x).jpg|thumb|Two pieces of string under a light microscope]]

== History ==

String, along with [[twine]] and other [[Rope|cordage]], was used in prehistoric times tofor make[[hafting]] sharp stone tips onto firespears, asin part[[beadwork]], partto ofease a[[Firelighting#Friction|firelighting]] drilling(as toolpart calledof the a [[bow drill]], whichas makeswell as for [[Firelighting#Friction|firefishing]] bylines frictionand nets, [[clothing]], shelter-making materials, bow string, sutures, traps, and countless other uses.<ref name="Hodge2003">{{cite book|author=Frederick Webb Hodge|title=Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico V. 1/4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WmQgh7i-LdQC&pg=PA402|date=1 July 2003|publisher=Digital Scanning Inc|isbn=978-1-58218-748-8|pages=402–}}</ref> Bow drills were used in [[Mehrgarh]] between the 4th and 5th millennium BC. Similar drills were found in other parts of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] and [[Iran]] one millennium later. In Roman times, the same principle also was used widely in drilling for purposes of [[woodworking]]<ref name="Ulrich2007">{{cite book|author=Roger Bradley Ulrich|title=Roman Woodworking|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DDh5yOgfnuoC&pg=PA30|year=2007|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0-300-10341-7|pages=30–}}</ref> and [[dentistry]].<ref name="GargGarg2012">{{cite book|author1=Nisha Garg|author2=Amit Garg|title=Textbook of Operative Dentistry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WredzxNmeUMC&pg=PA103|date=30 December 2012|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=978-93-5025-939-9|pages=103–}}</ref>

Bow drills were used in [[Mehrgarh]] between the 4th and 5th millennium BC. Similar drills were found in other parts of the [[Indus Valley civilization]] and [[Iran]] one millennium later. In Roman times, the same principle also was used widely in drilling for purposes of [[woodworking]]<ref name="Ulrich2007">{{cite book|author=Roger Bradley Ulrich|title=Roman Woodworking|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DDh5yOgfnuoC&pg=PA30|year=2007|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0-300-10341-7|pages=30–}}</ref> and [[dentistry]].<ref name="GargGarg2012">{{cite book|author1=Nisha Garg|author2=Amit Garg|title=Textbook of Operative Dentistry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WredzxNmeUMC&pg=PA103|date=30 December 2012|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=978-93-5025-939-9|pages=103–}}</ref>

Macramé comes from a 13th-century Arabic weavers’ word migramah meaning “fringe”. This refers to the decorative fringes on camels and horses which help, amongst other things, to keep the flies off the animal in the hot desert regions of northern Africa. One of the earliest recorded uses of macramé style knots as decoration appeared in the carvings of the Babylonians and Assyrians. Fringe-like plaiting and braiding adorned the costumes of the time and were captured in their stone statuary.

== Types ==

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{{Main|Yarn}}

[[Yarn]] is a long continuous length of interlocked [[fibre]]s, suitable for use in the production of [[textile]]s, [[sewing]], [[crochet]]ing, [[knitting]], [[weaving]], [[embroidery]], and [[rope]]making.<ref name=definition>{{cite web| url= http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yarn|title=Yarn|publisher=Merriam-Webster|accessdate=2012-05-25}}</ref> [[Thread (yarn)|Thread]] is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or [[sewing machine|machine]]. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with [[wax]] or other lubricants to withstand the stresses involved in sewing.<ref>Kadolph, Sara J., ed.: ''Textiles'', 10th edition, Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2007, {{ISBN |0-13-118769-4}}, p. 203</ref> [[Embroidery thread]]s are yarns specifically designed for hand or [[machine embroidery]].

==== Thread ====

{{Main|Thread (yarn)}}

[[Thread (yarn)|Thread]] is a type of yarn used for sewing. Thread is made from a wide variety of materials. The following table lists common materials, a general description and what they are supposed to be good for. If your machine will sew with the thread, any thread can be used for just about any purpose. This is very useful for someone who is trying to learn sewing. However, it should be remembered that where a thread is stronger than the material that it is being used to join, if seams are placed under strain the material may tear before the thread breaks. Garments are usually sewn with threads of lesser strength than the fabric so that if stressed the seam will break before the garment. Heavy goods that must withstand considerable stresses such as upholstery, car seating, tarpaulins, tents, and saddlery require very strong threads. Attempting repairs with light weight thread will usually result in rapid failure, though again, using a thread that is stronger than the material being sewn can end up causing rips in that material before the thread itself gives way.

=== Bowstring ===

{{Main|Bowstring}}

A [[bowstring]] joins the two ends of the [[Bow and arrow|bow]] stave and launches the [[arrow]]. Desirable properties include light weight, strength, resistance to [[Abrasion (mechanical)|abrasion]], and resistance to water. [[Mass]] has most effect at the center of the string; {{Convertconvert|1|g|sp spell= in}} of extra mass in the middle of the string slows the arrow about as much as {{Convertconvert|3.5|g|sp = in}} at the ends.<ref>''Design and Construction of Flight Bows - a supplement to "The Design and Construction of Composite Recurve Bows"'' by John Clark. Ausbow Industries, not dated</ref> Traditional materials include [[linen]], [[hemp]], other vegetable fibers, [[sinew]], [[silk]], and [[rawhide (textile)|rawhide]]. Almost any fiber may be used in emergency.

=== Drawstring ===

[[File:FelpaSudadera urban.JPGjpg|thumb|right|[[Hoodie]] with drawstring]]

{{Main|Drawstring}}

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{{Main|Shoelaces}}

[[Shoelaces]], also called shoestrings (US English) or '''bootlaces''' (UK English), are a system commonly used to secure [[shoes]], [[boot]]s and other [[footwear]]. They typically consist of a pair of strings or cords, one for each shoe, finished off at both ends with stiff sections, known as [[aglet]]s. Each shoelace typically passes through a series of holes, eyelets, loops or hooks on either side of the shoe. Loosening the lacing allows the shoe to open wide enough for the foot to be inserted or removed. Tightening the lacing and tying off the ends secures the foot within the shoe.

=== Strings on musical instruments ===

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{{Main|Strings (tennis)}}

In tennis, the strings are the part of a tennis racquet which make contact with the ball. The strings form a woven network inside the head (or "hoop") of the racquet. Strings have been made with a variety of materials and possess varying properties that have been measured, such as dynamic stiffness, tension retention, thickness (gauge), string texture (shape of the string), and rebound efficiency.<ref name="racquetsportsindustry.com">[http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2010/01/string_selector_2010.html String Selector 2010, Racquet Sports Industry Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008023114/http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2010/01/string_selector_2010.html |date=2010-10-08 }}</ref>

== Further uses and applications ==

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{{Main|Textile}}

A [[textile]]<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/textile|title=Textile|publisher=Merriam-Webster|accessdate=2012-05-25}}</ref> or cloth<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloth|title=Cloth|publisher=Merriam-Webster|accessdate=2012-05-25}}</ref> is a flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial [[fibre]]s ([[yarn]] or [[Thread (yarn)|thread]]). Yarn is produced by [[Spinning (textiles)|spinning]] raw fibres of [[wool]], [[flax]], [[cotton]], or other material to produce long strands.<ref>{{cite web | title=An Introduction to Textile Terms | url=http://www.textilemuseum.org/PDFs/TextileTerms.pdf | accessdate=August 6, 2006 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723073411/http://www.textilemuseum.org/PDFs/TextileTerms.pdf | archivedate=July 23, 2006 }}</ref> Textiles are formed by [[weaving]], [[knitting]], [[crochet]]ing, [[Macramé|knotting]], or [[felt]]ing.

=== Clothes line ===

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{{Main|Yo-yo}}

A [[yo-yo]] A '''yo-yo''' (also spelled '''yoyo''') is a [[toy]] which in its simplest form is an object consisting of an [[axle]] connected to two [[cylinder|disks]], and a length of string looped around the axle, similar to a slender [[wikt:spool|spool]]. It is played by holding the free end of the string known as the handle (usually by inserting one finger into a [[slip knot]]) allowing gravity or the force of a throw to spin the yo-yo and unwind the string (similar to how a [[pullstring]] works), then allowing the yo-yo to wind itself back to one's hand, exploiting its spin (and the associated [[rotational energy]]). This is often called "yo-yoing". First made popular in the 1920s, yo-yoing remains a popular pastime of many generations and cultures. It was first invented in [[ancient Greece]].

=== Weaving ===

{{Main|Weaving}}

[[Weaving]] is a method of [[textile]] production <!--[[textile arts|textile craft]]--> in which two distinct sets of [[yarn|yarns or threads]] are interlaced at right angles to form a [[textile|fabric]] or [[cloth]]. Other methods are [[knitting]], [[felt]]ing, and [[braid]]ing or [[Braid|plaiting]]. The longitudinal threads are called the [[Warp (weaving)|warp]] and the lateral threads are the [[weft]] or filling. (''Weft'' or ''woof'' is an old [[English (language)|English]] word meaning "that which is woven".{{efn|deriving from an obsolete [[past participle]] of ''weave'' ([[Oxford English Dictionary]], see "weft" and "weave".}}) The method in which these threads are inter woven affects the characteristics of the cloth.<ref name=Collier92>{{HarvnbCitation|last=Collier|first= Ann M|title=A Handbook of Textiles |publisher=Pergamon Press |year=1974 |ppage=92|isbn=0-08-018057-4}}</ref>

Cloth is usually woven on a [[loom]], a device that holds the warp threads in place while filling threads are woven through them. A fabric band which meets this definition of cloth (warp threads with a weft thread winding between) can also be made using other methods, including [[tablet weaving]], back-strap, or other techniques without looms.<ref name="Dooley">{{HarvnbCitation |last=Dooley |first=William H. |title=Textiles |publisher=D.C. Heath and Co. |___location=Boston, USA |year=1914 |edition=Project Gutenberg |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24077 |accessdate=30 October 2011}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Biggest ball of twine]]

* [[Cord (sewing)]]

* [[Kite]]

* [[Quipu]]