Apart from table and bed linen, what else is linen used for?
A. Linen fabric is one of the preferred traditional supports for oil painting. Linen is preferred to cotton for its strength, durability and archival integrity. In the past linen was also used for books, a surviving example is the Liber Linteus. Due to its strength, in the Middle Ages linen was used for shields and gambeson. Also because of its strength when wet, Irish linen is the best wrap of pool/billiard cues, due to its absorption of sweat from hands. Paper made of linen can be very strong and crisp, which is why the United States and many other countries print their currency on paper that is made from 25% linen and 75% cotton.
