Ancient Rome Revered Flame Retardant Property of Asbestos

Citizens of ancient Rome, like the Greek civilization, used asbestos for its flame-retardant and insulation properties.

The Romans wove asbestos fibers into fabrics to make towels, nets and even head coverings for women.

Roman restaurants used tablecloths and napkins made of asbestos. These materials were flame retardant and could be thrown into the fire to remove food and other debris, and placed back on the table for the next customer. The asbestos cloth would come out of the fire whiter than it went in, so the Romans named asbestos "amiantus," meaning "unpolluted."