The origins of drop stitch technology can be traced back to the 1950s, when
Goodyear developed a process similar to
velvet manufacturing, initially calling it "Airmat". This technology was initially employed in the construction of inflatable airplanes. Early drop stitch fabrics faced limitations in thickness, reaching a maximum of approximately six inches. Creating specific shapes required cutting and sewing the fabric, a process that was expensive, time-consuming, and often resulted in inconsistent shapes. A significant advancement came with Earl Bilsky's patent in 1966, assigned to
Goodyear Aerospace Corporation, which detailed a method for weaving contoured drop stitch inflatable fabric. This method involved extending the drop yarns to predetermined lengths during weaving, resulting in precise inflatable shapes without the need for cutting and sewing. While Bilsky's patent mentioned wire yarns, drop stitch can be manufactured using various materials, including
nylon,
rayon, and other natural or synthetic fibers. Dropstitch was used in the creation of gymnastic mats before its widespread use in standup paddleboards and
inflatable dinghies. == Manufacturing ==