Who was Leizu?
Q: Who was Leizu?
A: Leizu was a legendary Chinese queen.
Q: What is she credited with discovering?
A: She is credited with discovering silk and inventing the silk loom in the 28th century BC.
Q: How did Leizu discover silkworms?
A: Leizu discovered silkworms while on a walk near the king's mulberry trees.
Q: What are the different stories of how Leizu discovered that silkworms make silk?
A: One story says that she used her finger to touch a worm, causing a strand of silk to come out. Another story says that she found silkworms eating the mulberry leaves and spinning cocoons.
Q: What is Leizu credited with inventing?
A: Leizu is credited with inventing the silk reel, which joins thin silk threads into a thicker thread strong enough for weaving. She is also credited with inventing the first silk loom.
Q: Is it known to what extent the story of Leizu is true?
A: It is not known how much, if any, of this story is true. However, historians do know that silk was first made in China.
Q: Did Leizu share her knowledge about silk with others?
A: Yes, Leizu shared what she found out with others and the knowledge became common.
