The history of braided fishing line dates back to ancient times, where fishermen used fibers from plants, such as hemp or grass, to create a strong knot. However, the modern braided fishing line that we know today has a much more recent history.
The first-ever braided fishing line was created by an American company called Dupont in the early 1950s. The company was originally a chemical manufacturing corporation that manufactured a wide range of products, from synthetic fabric to industrial chemicals. However, their interest in fishing lines began with research on high-strength, low-weight filaments that can be used in spacecraft.
Dupont’s research led them to a material called Spectra, which was ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Spectra was significantly stronger and thinner than other synthetic fibers, making it ideal for a range of applications, including fishing lines. Dupont engineers developed a braided fishing line from Spectra that was up to six times stronger than the best monofilament fishing lines available at the time.
The braided fishing line made from Spectra was an instant hit with fishermen. The line was extremely strong, durable, and thin, allowing anglers to cast further and deeper, and catch bigger fish. In addition, braided fishing lines have no memory, meaning that they don’t retain their shape and don’t tangle easily, making them easier to handle and manage.
Dupont initially marketed the braided fishing line under the brand name Stren, which quickly became one of the most popular fishing lines in the world. Other companies soon followed suit, and braided fishing lines became a standard in the fishing industry.
Today, braided fishing lines are available in a wide range of materials, including Spectra, Dyneema, and Kevlar. They come in various colors, textures, and thicknesses, making them ideal for different fishing techniques and environments.
While ancient fishermen used rudimentary braided lines made from plant fibers, the credit for the modern braided fishing line goes to Dupont. Their innovative use of Spectra fiber revolutionized fishing and helped set the tone for the fishing industry’s future. The use of braided fishing lines today is almost ubiquitous, in freshwater and saltwater fishing. It provides anglers with a reliable tool that ensures successful catches every time.