Seaford Hundred in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

World's First Nylon Plant

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 26, 2024

1. World's First Nylon Plant Marker

Inscription. The development of nylon, the synthetically engineered "miracle" fiber, transformed the textile industry and had an enormous social impact on daily life worldwide. After the nylon patent was issued in September 1938, the world's first nylon plant was authorized for construction in Seaford due to its location near the DuPont headquarters in Wilmington, raw materials and major markets. Initial construction began in March 1939, and just nine months after groundbreaking, the six-story facility began operations on December 12, 1939. During its first year, the plant operated around the clock producing enough nylon for 64 million pairs of nylon stockings. The city of Seaford became known as "The Nylon Capital of the World." The public embraced nylon's physical properties such as tremendous strength, a high degree of toughness, and very high resistance to abrasion. During World War II, military parachutes, mosquito netting, tents, and other goods were made from Seaford's nylon fiber.

DuPont changed the name of this and other portions of its business to INVISTA, then sold the plant in 2004. INVISTA's Seaford site has evolved

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to meet the ever-changing needs of the marketplace-producing nylon for uniforms for the U.S. military and flame resistant clothing for work-wear applications, as well as nylon for press felts used in paper manufacturing and other industrial end uses.

As the DuPont Nylon Plant, this facility was designated as a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society on October 26, 1995.

Erected 2014 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-239.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 12, 1939.

Location. 38° 38.102′ N, 75° 37.589′ W. Marker is in Seaford, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Seaford Hundred. It is on Dupont Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25876 Dupont Rd, Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally,

World's First Nylon Plant Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 26, 2024

2. World's First Nylon Plant Marker wide view

it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Delaware Railroad (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Making and Meaning of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department Tribute (approx. 0.7 miles away); Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Kiwanis Park Veterans Memorial Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ladies' Auxiliary of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (LASVFD) (approx. 0.7 miles away); Seaford Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Stein Highway (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Seaford Post Office (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

World's First Nylon Plant seen from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 26, 2024

3. World's First Nylon Plant seen from the road

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.