The document discusses the history and process of mercerization of cotton. It describes how John Mercer discovered in 1791 that treating cotton with a sodium hydroxide solution caused it to shrink. In the 1850s, Mercer patented the mercerization process. Later improvements by Horace Lowe and Thomas and Prevost reduced shrinkage by applying tension during treatment. The process was then commercialized in 1895 and is now widely used to increase cotton's strength, dye absorption, and other properties.