The presence of clothing is one of the fundamental features that distinguish humans from animals. In primitive societies, clothing was purely functional (protected from heat, cold, rain, dust, wind), later it acquired a new quality: it began to decorate the wearer
Choosing clothes, a person demonstrates his taste and style, emphasizes certain features of appearance or character, social status. Modern clothes are so diverse that it is difficult for couturiers and fashion designers to surprise a jaded audience with something. However, in the pragmatic XXI century, engineers are mastering the art of cutting and sewing.
The famous French futurist Albert Robida, who published several books about the coming century at the end of the 19th century, had no doubt that even changing from horses to airplanes, men would continue to wear suits with bibs, and women - fluffy dresses with frills and ruffles. Probably, he would be very surprised to learn that in the 20th century, many men and women will choose a denim suit.
In the mid-1960s, at the height of interest in space exploration, many futurists in the Soviet Union and the West believed that the people of the future would wear tight-fitting clothing that resembled spacesuits. And these expectations did not come true: even cosmonauts of both sexes, while in orbit, prefer shorts and loose T-shirts.
Keeping in mind the bad experiences of our predecessors, we will not try to imagine the clothes of the future, but we will note the main trends that in the future may change the very idea of what clothes are.
Today it is already difficult to puzzle someone with special pockets for carrying mobile devices - a cell phone or a laptop. However, I want more. Is it possible to make this pocket also serve as a charger? It turns out you can! American company SCOTTeVEST has already launched a jacket with a price tag of about $ 400, which will charge any mobile device in a couple of hours - from a phone to a camera. The idea is simple: flexible solar panels are attached to the shoulders that convert light into electricity. After that, it goes into special charging pockets via wires.
Inspired by the achievements of his colleagues, New York-based designer Andrew Schneider has developed Solar Bikini, a swimsuit made up of 40 thin and flexible solar panels that will recharge a cell phone or player while its wearer bask on the beach. Interestingly, initially Schneider was either jokingly or seriously going to make melts that could cool beer on the beach, but the total energy of the panels was not enough to charge even one mini-refrigerator.
Still, the designer has not abandoned the old idea and is working on "solar" shorts, the power of which will support the work of the compact cooler of drinks cans. E-bikinis are easy to purchase online, ranging from $ 500 to $ 1,500.
"Smart" wardrobe
Already, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working on the creation of underwear that will monitor human health and even transmit information about his condition to medical centers.
The first examples of such clothing are able to track pulse, sweating and body temperature. As soon as the medical center receives information about a deviation from the norm, the ambulance team will immediately go to the patient. The same clothing will help the doctor who monitors the patient's health after surgery.
It is clear that the scope of such "smart" clothing is wider than medicine alone. Athletes will have the opportunity to adjust the load, parents - to monitor the condition of the baby, patients with asthma or diabetes - to instantly respond to the onset of an attack.
The US Navy is also actively investing in the development of smart clothing technologies. And this looks logical: a form equipped with "intelligence" is able to monitor the condition of a soldier, and in case of injury, he can be promptly assisted at her signal.
The US military is looking even further, dreaming of clothes that will not only diagnose, but also treat! For example, if a soldier's leg is interrupted, the leg will turn into a tough and durable splint. In the event of a nearby explosion, the entire suit will temporarily "harden", covering the body like a shell. When bleeding, the clothing will pull the limb and even disinfect the wound site. Special fibers sewn into the fabric will serve as filters that regulate the composition of the air entering the body. The plans of the military also include the creation of an exoskeleton that will significantly strengthen the soldiers, allow them to overcome difficult obstacles, carry heavy loads and even fly.
Protector dress
Fortunately, these technologies are used not only in military affairs. For example, British scientists from the Center for Biomimetics (University of Bath) have developed clothing that is sensitive to temperature changes. It consists of several layers of fabric, one of which is equipped with miniature sensors that measure the
ambient temperature. According to signals from these sensors, the fibers of the fabric can close or open the access of air to the body, which will allow a person in such a suit to feel comfortable in any situation.
But scientist Jeff Owen, who works for the United States Air Force, has created a fabric that can kill bacteria, decompose dirt and sweat, and easily let moisture out, repelling outside water. T-shirts and underwear have already been made from this fabric, which can be worn for many weeks without the problems of dirt and smell. Moreover, the new tissue kills not only natural bacteria on the skin, but also pathogens of dangerous diseases (it was tested on anthrax). Owens' fabric manufacturing technology is rather complicated: special nanoparticles are planted on ordinary fibers using microwave radiation; then a set of reagents responsible for the destruction of bacteria was chemically "glued" to these particles. Of course, new fabrics still have to be washed, but much less often. At the same time, in the case of mass production, the technology will add only a few dollars to the cost of each garment.
An unusual option for the use of military technologies in everyday life was proposed by designer Adam Whiton. He developed the No-Contact Jacket, an electroshock jacket designed to protect women from unwanted contact. The jacket is made of special fabric, which is used in the manufacture of body armor. Its fibers are stronger than steel, but more flexible and lighter, and they also conduct electricity well. The No-Contact Jacket is powered by a regular 9-volt battery, but the charge, amplified through a series of electrical circuits, is enough to strike.
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When turned on, the jacket emits a menacing crackle. In addition, small luminous lightning bolts run along the left shoulder. In such a dress, a woman can feel safe walking along the streets at night.
As you can see, the prospects are impressive. Clothing becomes not only more beautiful and comfortable, but also acquires new qualities that our ancestors could not have imagined. The main thing is that at the same time it continues to remain accessible.