History of silk and in part replaced natural silk. Following the crisis in Europe, the modernization of sericulture in Japan made it the world's foremost silk producer. By the early 20th century, rapidly industrializing Japan was producing as much as 60 percent of the world's raw silk, most exports shipping through the port of Yokohama. Italy managed to rebound from the crisis, but France was unable. Urbanization in Europe saw many French and Italian agricultural workers leave silk growing for more lucrative factory work. Raw silk was imported from Japan to fill the void. Asian countries, formerly exporters of raw materials (cocoons and
Bellemonte Silk Mill Bellemonte Silk Mill Bellemonte Silk Mill, also known as Welwood Silk Mill and Sherman Underwear Mills, is a historic mill located at Hawley, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1880-1881, and rebuilt in 1894 after a fire. It is a three- to five-story, long and narrow bluestone building in a High Victorian Gothic style. It features a castellated roof parapet. It has a one-story, shed roofed engine house addition. The mill is locally considered to be the largest bluestone building in the world. The property also includes the contributing Cocoon House; a one-story, one room stone building. In 2011