Wool has been used for over 34,000 years, originally being plucked from sheep by hand. Sheep were among the first domesticated animals, and wool production expanded in places like Jamestown and Massachusetts in the 1600s-1700s. Australia is currently the largest producer of wool, responsible for 25% of global production, followed by China. Wool has various beneficial properties including durability, elasticity, moisture-wicking abilities, and flame-resistance, making it suitable for applications like apparel, carpets, upholstery, and firefighting gear.