Research topic: Krefeld

Krefeld , city (1994 pop. 249,560), North Rhine-Westphalia, W Germany, a port on the Rhine River. It is the center of the German silk and velvet industry, and is a major rail hub and textile center. Other manufactures include quality steels, machinery, clothing, chemicals, and dyes. Krefeld was chartered in 1373 and was an important linen-weaving center until it passed (1702) to Prussia. The silk industry, encouraged by a monopoly given to the city by Frederick II of Prussia, soon replaced linen weaving; and in the 20th cent. the manufacture of artificial silk became important. In 1929 the neighboring... Read more