Skip to content

Richard Shelby Is Older Than Nylon

Peggy Moran, an actress with Universal, being shown nylon stockings in 1940 held by Vera West (left) Sen. Richard Shelby in 2021 (right)
Peggy Moran, an actress with Universal, being shown nylon stockings in 1940 held by Vera West (left) Sen. Richard Shelby in 2021 (right) Photo: Bettmann / Tom Williams (Getty Images)

Sen. Richard Shelby, a Republican from Alabama, was born on May 6, 1934, the year before nylon was developed.

Nylon was first synthesized in 1935, but it didn’t make its public debut as nylon stockings until the New York World’s Fair in 1939. And it’s a little weird to think Shelby was even born before the 1939 Fair, which featured the public debut of another incredibly popular technology: broadcast television.

Shelby announced he’ll not seek re-election in 2022. And that’s a relief.

Related Articles