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Different types of filament require different solidifying processes. Acetate filaments are passed through jets of warm air (dry spinning); viscose rayon filaments are passed through a bath of dilute acid (wet spinning); nylon and polyester solidify on contact with cool air (melt spinning).
Some 9,000 years ago, spinning was done by hand using a distaff (a cleft stick holding a bundle of fibres) and a weighted spindle, which was spun to twist the thread. In the 1300s the spinning wheel came to Europe, though it had been in use earlier in the East. It provided a way of turning the spindle mechanically. By the next century, the wheel was both spinning and winding the yarn onto a bobbin, but further mechanical development did not occur until the 18th century.
The sun of freedom rises from the Caribbean Sea. The stars represent Costa Rica's seven provinces. Red was added to the blue and white flag to reflect the French tricolour. Effective date: 29 September 1848.
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