In the history of materials and textiles, which of the following was the first fully synthetic fibre made by humans and produced on an industrial scale?

Introduction / Context:
Synthetic fibres revolutionised the textile industry by providing strong, durable and versatile alternatives to natural fibres like cotton and silk. This question asks you to identify which fibre was the first fully synthetic fibre produced by humans on a large industrial scale.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Options include nylon, rayon, polyester, terycott and acrylic.
• The question emphasises first synthetic fibre made by humans, which in exam usage means the first fibre produced entirely from man made polymers rather than modified natural polymers.
• We assume the focus is on widely recognised industrial production in the twentieth century.

Concept / Approach:
Rayon is sometimes called artificial silk, but it is made by chemically treating natural cellulose, so it is often classified as a semi synthetic fibre. Nylon, discovered in the 1930s by chemists at DuPont, was the first fully synthetic fibre made from petrochemical raw materials. It does not depend on natural polymers and is produced entirely from chemical monomers. Polyester and acrylic fibres were developed later. Terycott is a blend of polyester and cotton, not a pure synthetic fibre.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that nylon was introduced commercially in the late 1930s, initially for toothbrush bristles and stockings. Step 2: Understand that nylon is produced from diamines and dicarboxylic acids, making it a fully synthetic polyamide. Step 3: Recognise that rayon uses natural cellulose as a starting material and thus is classified as semi synthetic. Step 4: Remember that polyester and acrylic fibres appeared after nylon and are not the first synthetic fibres developed. Step 5: Note that terycott is a blend of polyester and cotton and cannot be the first fully synthetic fibre by itself.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textile history sources and general science references consistently describe nylon as the first fully synthetic fibre made by chemists, marking a turning point in fibre technology. Rayon is described as the first artificial fibre but is not fully synthetic. Exam questions typically expect nylon as the answer when specifically asking for the first synthetic fibre made by man.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Rayon: An early artificial fibre but derived from natural cellulose, making it semi synthetic rather than fully synthetic.
Polyester: Developed after nylon and not the first synthetic fibre historically.
Terycott: A blended fabric combining polyester and cotton, not a distinct original synthetic fibre.
Acrylic: Another synthetic fibre that was commercialised later than nylon.

Common Pitfalls:
A common confusion is between the terms artificial fibre and synthetic fibre. Many students pick rayon because they remember it as the first artificial fibre. To answer this question correctly, focus on fully synthetic fibres made from petrochemicals without any direct natural polymer base, which clearly points to nylon.

Final Answer:
The first fully synthetic fibre made by humans and produced on an industrial scale was Nylon.