Everyday uses of nylon. An assortment of everyday objects which are made of nylon fabric. These include an umbrella, a kite, a coat, rope and stockings. Nylon is a synthetic material widely used for textiles. It has great strength, toughness and elasticity. Nylon fabrics are water- resistant, they dry quickly when laundered and usually require little or no ironing. Nylon may also be used to make bristles and moulded articles. Nylon was developed in the 1930s by a team of scientists headed by the American chemist Wallace Hume Carothers.