Why is cotton in everything? - Michael R. Stiff

Dig into the science of how cotton transforms from seed to fiber, and how these cotton fibers are used to make everything from fabrics, to currency, and fishing nets.

--

Centuries ago, the Inca developed ingenuous suits of armor that could protect warriors from even the fiercest physical attacks. These hardy structures were made not from iron or steel, but rather something unexpectedly soft: cotton. Today cotton is used to make everything from fabric, to currency, diapers and fishing nets. Michael R. Stiff explores the science of what makes cotton so versatile.

Lesson by Michael R. Stiff, directed by WOW-HOW Studio.

Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Leen Mshasha, Mariana Ortega, Danny Romard, James Bruening, Ricki Daniel Marbun, Malcolm Callis, Sabrina Gonzalez, Al the Scottish Wildcat, سلطان الخليفي, Alexander Walls, Della Palacios, Vik Nagjee, Hiroshi Uchiyama, Adi V, Andrew Bosco, Craig Sheldon, Rishi Pasham, Joanne Luce, Jason A Saslow, Mary Sawyer, Scott Gass, Ruth Fang, Mayank Kaul, Kathryn J Hammond, Max Shuai Tang, Terry Minion, Sami Khan, Rob Johnson, Abdullah Abdulaziz, Angelo Urzua-Milla, Tommy Lewis, leorene , Mahina Bachiller, Marcus Andre Nery, Bruce Vieira Lopes, Chef, Charmaine Hanson, Michael Goldberg, Lydia Pflieger, Paul Aldred-Bann, Manav parmar, Susan Wang, Utkarsh Dubey, Thawsitt, Xuebicoco, Jezabel, Maeve, Kim Humphrey and Kristen Damas.

[GTron]

Animator: How cute do you want the cotton to be?

Ted-Ed: *Yes.*

[bsku]

Ted-ed: Why is cotton in everything?

Me: Cotton is in everything?

[Alkalus]

The llamas dressed as scientists is so cool and funny at the same time...

[lesmercredis]

Cotton fibers: strong, resilient, durable, and HELLA CUUUUTE

[aaliyahramos]

TedEd: Why cotton is in everything?
Plastic: huh?

[RT-nkgc]

Idk.. those baby cottons.. my heart melts down

[e.kowalski]

I somehow managed to misread the title as "Why is cotton terrifying?"
And I strongly agree.




It's terrifyingly cute.

[monabil]

" Honey can you please take my cellulose t-shirt from the closet"

[PossibleBat]

As someone with eczema, every fiber in my house is cotton, or cotton mixed with other natural fibers. All my clothes are cotton, my bed sheets, my towels, everything because it’s the only fiber that is gentle with my extremely sensitive skin.

[intheshellify]

I grew up in a cotton field and never thought to ask the questions you just answered. Well done.

[hmylrdd_]

That fiber is my new gym motivation. So swole 💪

[shan]

“Ted-ed discussing about where cotton is made”

My brain: *Cotton Candy*

[kerishmamadhavan]

I love you Ted Ed! My school uses your videos to teach us! Keep up the good work 👍

[groovy]

I would not know how cute cotton fibers looked were it not for ted-ed

[starcloak]

Another great video, didn't know how much time is put in cotton farming. Art style was adorable❤️

[juliettebentley]

This is a great explanation of the importance of cotton and contributes to the conversation around sustainable production and consumption. The synthetics we use do not totally biodegrade and sadly as they decompose they reach a point where micro plastics are left. We need to try and return to natural biodegradable fabrics and learn to re-purpose more efficiently.

[xterify]

Philosophers: what is life

Other people: why is cotton in everything

[miyahmireles]

Who knew cotton could be so *adorable* T^T 💕

[lila]

It's videos like this that make me continue to love Ted-Ed. Those cotton buds were so adorable I wanted to cry 😭😂❤️ kudos to the animators and scriptwriter/s 😂☺️

[Athalwolf]

Small note to the beginning : What you refer to there is "gambesson", which was used amongst Europa too and could equally stop most cuts and piercings blows.