Ribbon
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2008-07-07T09:58:22Z
Landon1980
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{{four other uses||a monthly [[Japan]]ese [[shōjo|shōjo manga]] magazine|Ribon|the user interface concept|Ribbon (computing)|cabling|Ribbon cable|the term for an award|Ribbon (award)}}
[[Image:Letizia Ortiz Coat of Arms.jpg|right|thumb|The personal coat of arms of [[Letizia, Princess of Asturias|the Princess of Asturias]] surrounded by the ribbon of the [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Order of Charles III and Saint Fernando|Order of Charles III]]]]
A '''ribbon''' or '''riband''' is a thin band of flexible material, typically [[cloth]] but also [[plastic]] or sometimes [[metal]], used primarily for binding and tying. Cloth ribbons, which most commonly includes [[silk]], are often used in connection with dress, but also applied for innumerable useful, ornamental and [[symbolism|symbolic]] purposes; cultures around the world use this device in their hair, around the body, or even as ornamentation on animals, buildings, and other areas. Ribbon is also sometimes used as a package sealer, on par with [[twine]]. A [[typewriter]] uses a [[cloth]] or [[plastic]] ribbon to hold the [[ink]].
==Silk ribbon==
Along with that of [[tape]]s, [[fringe]]s and other smallwares, the manufacture of cloth ribbons forms a special department of the [[textile]] industries. The essential feature of a ribbon [[loom]] is the simultaneous weaving in one loom frame of two or more webs, going up to as many as forty narrow fabrics in modern looms. To effect the conjoined throwing of all the shuttles and the various other movements of the loom, the automatic action of the power-loom is necessary; and it is a remarkable fact that the self-acting ribbon loom was known and extensively used more than a century before the famous invention of Cartwright. A loom in which several narrow webs could be woven at one time is mentioned as having been working in [[Dantzig]] towards the end of the 16th century. Similar looms were at work in [[Leiden]] in [[1620]], where their use gave rise to so much discontent and rioting on the part of the weavers that the states-general had to prohibit their use. The prohibition was renewed at various intervals throughout the century, and in the same interval the use of the ribbon loom was interdicted in most of the principal industrial centres of Europe. About [[1676]], under the name of the Dutch loom or engine loom, it was brought to [[London]]; and, although its introduction there caused some disturbance, it does not appear to have been prohibited. In [[1745]], [[John Kay]], the inventor of the fly-shuttle, obtained, conjointly with [[Joseph Stell]], a [[patent]] for improvements in the ribbon loom; and since that period it has benefited by the inventions applied to weaving machinery generally.
Ribbon-weaving is known to have been established near [[St. Etienne]] (dep. Loire) as early as the 11th century, and that town has remained the headquarters of the industry. During the [[Huguenot]] troubles, ribbon-weavers from St. Etienne settled at [[Basel]] and there established an industry which in modern times has rivalled that of the original seat of the trade. [[Crefeld]] is the centre of the German ribbon industry, the manufacture of black [[velvet]] ribbon being there a specialty. In England [[Coventry]] is the most important seat of ribbon-making, which is also prosecuted at [[Norwich]] and [[Leicester]].
Ribbons are enjoyed by many people as a common decoration. In some cultures birthday gifts are adorned with these colorful strings.
While satin and other sorts of ribbon have always been used in lingerie, the usage of ribbon in the garment industry, while subject to fashion trends, saw an upsurge in the mid to late 90's. This upsurge led to increased ribbon manufacturing as well as new and improved manufacturing techniques. Due to more competitive production rates, as well as past experience in this field, companies in the Far East - especially those in China - gradually secured themselves to be the major ribbon suppliers in the world and improved both the quality and the variety of their merchandise to match those of their established European and North American competitors.
Presently, the North American continent remains the largest importer of ribbon and ribbon derivative products (such as bows, rosettes, and other garment accessories made from ribbon). However, due to outsourcing of production of garments by North American garment manufacturers, countries in Asia and South America have started to contribute to the change of the statistical figures of ribbon imports.
==Ribbon symbolism==
Pieces of ribbon are used as symbols of support or awareness for various social causes and are called "[[awareness ribbon]]s".
Ribbons are used in some ceremonies, such as in a [[ribbon cutting ceremony]].
==See also==
{{Wiktionary|ribbon}}
* [[Ribbon bar]]
* [[Award ribbon]]
==References==
*{{1911}}
[[Category:Ribbon symbolism]]
[[Category:Notions]]
[[Category:Textile closures]]
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