The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World

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By Virginia Postrel ’82

Published Nov. 18, 2020

Pulling from archaeology, economics, and science, Virginia Postrel ’82 tells a history of textiles and civilizations around the world. The Fabric of Civilization explores how cloth has inspired far-reaching trade and innovation throughout human history.

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PAW's October 2026 cover, featuring a photo of a loaf of challah bread and the headline "The Braids That Bind."
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