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<p><img src="images/headings/history.gif" alt="The History of Merino Wool:" width="266" height="25" /></p> <p class="largeText">200 years in the making</p> <p>The first sheep stepped upon the Australian shores in 1788 with the First Fleet. </p> <p>In 1997 the Spanish Merinos were acquired from South America by John MacCarthur and Samuel Marsden. It was then, away from their South American climate, that the Australian Merinos began to change and develop. </p> <p>Noted for their bright white, soft fleece John MacCarthur and Samuel Marsden bred their Merino flocks for their wool. The first bale of this wool was sent to London and sold in 1807. By 1815 the demand for Australian Merino wool had expanded and gave Australia a place in the wool market. </p> <p>By 1829 the world was claiming that the Australian fleeces were the “softest and most luxurious”. With over 2 million sheep at this stage the Australian Merino population was rapidly increasing and, with the wool processing machinery improving, Australia was challenging the world as the main supplier of merino wool. </p> <p>By the end of the 1800’s Australia boasted 106 million sheep. 50 years later and Australia’s wool had been the primary source throughout both World Wars and was being used by designers such as Chanel , Yve Saint Laurent and Jean Patou.</p> <p>The early 1980’s saw China’s economy starting to revive and become a new contender for buying the bulk of the Australian Merino wool. This was also the time when the concept of spinning the merino wool to create ultra fine knits was created. </p> <p>By 2003 China became the largest processor of Australian wool. By the end of the 1900’s many designers had created ranges using the ultra fine Australian Merino wool that is so popular today. </p> <p>Australia is now the world’s largest supplier of wool and continues to supply Merino wool throughout the fashion and homewares industry.</p> <p>For more information click on the links below.</p> <p>• <a href="http://www.merinoinnovation.com/awi/en/Home/about%2Bmerino/innovation%2Btimeline/" target="_blank">History of Australian Merino</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.merinoinnovation.com/awi/en/Home/about+merino/benefits/" target="_blank">Features and Benefits of Merino</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.merinoinnovation.com/awi/en/Home/about+merino/care/" target="_blank">Care and Cleaning Tips</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.merinoinnovation.com/awi/en/Home/about+merino/benefits/benefits_natural_en" target="_blank">Environmentally Friendly Merino</a></p> <p>Many years ago, it was noticed that the hands of Australian sheep shearers were always soft and young looking. It was later proven that this was due to the oil found in the sheeps wool – lanolin.</p> <p>Lanolin protects the sheep from the elements and harsh weather conditions. It has exceptional moisturising properties and reduces moisture loss. When used on human skin it protects in much the same way as it would a sheep. Lanolin is nature’s own moisturising and protective lotion.</p> <p>Australian lanolin is the finest in the world and Purely Merino has created a range of quality skin care products, available at all retail stores.</p> <p> </p>
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