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Put Wellbeing First Using Fluorescent Orange Tshirts
The 1960s seem long ago to many people but the lasting impression made by that decade on the world of fashion is still unfolding. One of those quirky influences is in the realm of color, especially the eye-popping psychedelic-influenced tones. That color trend was quickly seized by both the entertainment and fashion industries, and fluorescent orange t shirts became popular soon afterward.
The Science
True fluorescence, found in nature, in quite different from garish, bright clothing dyes. It is a phenomenon that occurs in many creatures and substances both on land and under the sea and is generally produced by absorbing and converting non-visible photons into visible displays. The term fluorescence is actually named after fluorite, a natural mineral that glows.
It is a considerable leap from natural fluorescence to psychedelic colors used clothing manufacture. Today’s dyes have been greatly improved in depth of color and function, making many color tones not only bright but also very reflective. Brighteners and other additives increase the amount of light bouncing back to the viewer, making your shirt fun to wear as well as highly visible.
In The Safety Industry
This unintended consequence proved to be fortuitous in the industrial safety industry. The new, easy-to-see colors meant that workers in many jobs now had a new way to cut down on injuries caused by poor visibility. Bright orange is popular for these worker applications but other highly visible colors treated in the same chemical fashion include lime green and even bright yellow.
Greater Awareness
The emergence of these specialized dyes prompted their use not only in pop clothing items but also in the creation of unique safety clothing worn by some heavy equipment operators and others exposed to outdoor hazards. They create amplified visual presence, which automatically grabs the attention of those nearby. Literally thousands of accidents have been avoided, and many lives saved.
Usefull Elsewhere As Well
Workers are not the only ones to benefit from the improvements in these fluorescent fabric dyes, which have made their way into the clothing favored by outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. When combined with newly developed, super-warm and extremely strong fabrics, they make the ideal material for creating safety jackets and other apparel easily visible when worn by hunters, hikers, and other people enjoying the outdoors.
Coats, trousers and even fleeces and sweatshirts now sport the same bright orange as the ubiquitous t-shirts. Apparel is not the only area where the color is useful, however, because the same dyes have been used in the manufacture of everything from shopping bags to laptop cases, making them easier to see and harder to lose. Today, this type of high visibility coloration has gone mainstream, even down to your personal monogram or company logo.
Basic fluorescent orange tshirt sold for safety must meet certain standards and the sleeveless look is usually not allowed. The safety t-shirt must be made of durable cotton, which is easily worn in all kinds of weather. Some makers add reflective bands for enhanced visibility at night. From their humble beginnings as psychedelic icons, they have finally become not only useful but also respectable.
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