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 because of its location near 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, and Seaford became known as "The Nylon Capital of the World." The public embraced nylon's tremendous strength, toughness, and high resistance to abrasion. During World War II, Seaford's nylon fiber was used for military parachutes, mosquito netting, tents, and other goods. DuPont later 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 to produce nylon for U.S. military uniforms, flame resistant work-wear clothing, press felts used in paper manufacturing, and other industrial uses.