When did the Chinese invent silk? What did they wear before they used silk?

Dr. dig responds:

Silk is made from the threads of the cocoon of the silk worm. According to Chinese records, the discovery of silk production from the silk worm occurred about 2,700 B.C.

Chinese legends record that the Empress Hsi-ling Shih discovered the method of raising silkworms and the method of unwinding the silk threads from the cocoons. It is said that she planted a mulberry tree orchard in the palace grounds where the silk works could feed on the leaves. It is also believed that Hsi-ling Shih invented the loom to weave the silk and make it into garments.

Hsi-ling Shih was later deified for her work and honored with the name Seine-Than, or "The Goddess of Silk Worms".

Silk would not have been worn by just anyone. It was mostly worn by the people of the imperial court and other rich folk who could afford this rich and splendid material.

The most usual cloth worn by the common folk was probably linen. Linen is made from the plant fibers of flax which has been cultivated and woven in China since 5000 B.C.

Cotton was also worn. Cotton is made from the fluffy seed fibers of the cotton plant and has been cultivated and woven in China since 3000 B. C.