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The Fabric-Flight Connection

Featured Author of the Month

Nancy Breen, Ph.D.

Nancy Breen, author of The Fabric-Flight Connection, currently is a lecturer at Cornell University, College of Human Ecology, Department of Textiles and Apparel. She is also Director of the Biology and Society interdisciplinary major in the College of Human Ecology. She earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration and a master's degree in Clothing and Textiles, both from Syracuse University. Dr. Breen received a bachelor's degree in Home Economics from Douglas College. She has participated in numerous presentations, exhibits, and held various offices.

She has several publications, both printed articles and handbooks, as well as films like the educational and enlightening video, Fabric-Flight Connection (c. 1990, $29.95 video), (c. 1997, $30.00 handbook), ($49.95 video and handbook). Susan Lang's article in the Cornell Chronicle quotes Nancy Breen as she describes her motivation and style. “Everyone knows how fabrics and textiles are used in clothing and interiors, but many people don't realize how versatile, complex, and practical textiles are in industrial and aviation purposes.” Breen designed her videotape to reach the various audiences: junior and senior high school science, technology, and home economics classes; 4-H clubs; college students and faculty; adults. Likewise, Championship Material (c. 1987, $19.95), her first video, focused on the textile aspects of fabrics used in athletic uniforms.

The Fabric/Flight Connection is available for purchase from:

The Resource Center
Cornell University
PO Box 3884
Ithaca, NY 14852-3884
Phone: 607-255-2080
Fax: 607-255-9946
E-Mail: resctr@cornell.edu
secure online ordering here: www.cce.cornell.edu/store

The Fabric/Flight Connection project was partially funded by the American Fiber Manufacturers Association Inc.

PUBLICATIONS:

  • “The Fabric/Flight Connection.” Videotape presented at the “How things Fly Gallery” of the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian institution, Washington, DC, September 20, 1996 - 2006.
  • “The Fabric/Flight Connection.” A 30-minute videotape to teach advanced textile concepts. Cornell University, 1991.
  • “Presidential Perspectives Concerning Home Economics in Higher Education,” Home Economics Research Journal, June 1989.
  • “Championship Material.” - A 30 minute videotape and 44 page handbook to teach basic textile concepts. Cornell University, 1988.
  • “Residual Oily Soil Distribution on Polyester/Cotton Fabric After Laundering with Selected Detergents at Various Wash Temperatures,” (First author with D. J. Durnam and S. K. Obendorf), Textile Research Journal, March 1984.
  • “Motivating Research Interests at the Undergraduate Level.” Journal of Home Economics, Summer 1983.

JURIED PRESENTATIONS:

  • “Textiles in Aviation!” Presentation at New York State Technology Education Association, Oswego, NY, October 24, 1991.
  • “Textiles in Aviation,” N. Breen and S. K. Obendort, National Meeting of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing, Atlanta, GA, October 27, 1989. Presented by S. K. Obendort.
  • “Teaching Textile Conservation,” Presentation at Western New York Conservation Guild, Buffalo, NY, April 14, 1989.
  • “Championship Material.” Presentation at New York State Technology Education Association, Rochester, NY, April 18, 1989.
  • “Championship Material.” Presentation at New York State Association for Physical Education, Health, Recreation, and Dance, November 19, 1988.
  • “Championship Material.” Presentation at Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing, New York, NY, October 28,1988.
  • “Presidential Perspectives Concerning Home Economics.” Presentation at National Home Economics Association Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, June 30,1987.
  • “Textiles in Athletic Apparel.” Presentation at National Home Economics Association Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, June 29,1987.
  • “History of Athletic Uniforms.” Presentation at North American Association for Sports History Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH, May 25,1987.
  • “Presidential perspectives Concerning Home Economics.” Presentation at Now York State Home Economics Association Annual Meeting, April 27,1987.
  • “Textiles in Athletic Apparel.” Presentation at New York State Home Economics Association Annual Meeting, May 2,1986.
  • “Putting Stretch into Sports.” Presentation at the Eastern Regional Meeting of the Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing, White Sulphur Springs, WV, November 9,1984.
  • “Departmental Planning: Who's in Charge?” Presentation at the International Conference of the Society for Collage and University Planning, July 9,1984, Boston, MA.
  • “The Effect of Water Temperature on Residual Oil in Polyester/Cotton Fabrics.” Presentation at Textile Research Reporting Session at the National Home Economics Association annual meeting, June 29,1982, Cincinnati, OH. One of 5 papers selected nationwide. Also selected to chair the session.
  • “The Distribution of Residual Oily Soil on Fabrics After Laundering,” by S. K. Obendorf, N.E. Breen, and D. J. Durnam. Presented by S. K. Obendorf at the Eastern Regional Meeting of the Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing, October 1982, Atlanta, GA.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS:

  • “Renowned Women of Cornell; Holdings from the Cornell Costume Collection.” Finger Lakes Textile Expo, Canandaigua, NY, September 28, 1996.
  • “Renowned Women of Cornell; Holdings from the Cornell Costume Collection.” Cornell Campus Club, Ithaca, NY, 1994.
  • “Visuals for Textile Education.” Presentation at New York State Home Economics Teachers Association, Syracuse, NY, Aug. 4, 1990.
  • “Championship Material.” Presentation at Washington Textile Roundtable, Washington, DC,
    June 30, 1988.
  • “Clothing, The Hidden Plus in Sports.” Presentation at the Orange Plus Luncheon to benefit women's sports, Syracuse University, October 9, 1986.
  • “The Development of Athletic Fibers & Fabrics.” Presentation to the Hudson-Mohawk section of the American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists, May 1, 1985, Herkimer, NY.
  • “Future Directions in Textiles.” Presentation at the Upstate Forum of the Regional Conference of Historical Agencies, February 6, 1982, Seneca Falls, NY.
  • “The Effect of Water Temperature on Residual Oil in Polyester/Cotton Fabrics.” Seminar at Cornell University, June 14,1982.
  • “Current Concerns of the Textile Industry.” Presentation at the Fall Update meeting of the Central District Home Economics Association meeting November 7,1981, Syracuse, NY.
  • Presentations to Textile Classes at Cazenovia College, October 1, 1982, and March 11, 1980.
  • “Interior Textiles.” Speaker at the Interior Design Society of Central New York, April 1979.
  • “Textiles & Energy Conservation.” Radio Station W0NO+M, Syracuse, November 25, 1979.

EXHIBITS:

  • June 10, 1994 — “Portrait Dresses,” Mann Library, Cornell University.
  • May 19,1994 — “Renowned Women of Cornell,” Statler Hotel, Cornell University.
  • April 22, 1993 — “World War 11 Era Clothing,” Statler Hotel, Cornell University.
  • Feb.- March 1993 — “African Selections from the Cornell Costume Collection,” Mann Library, Cornell University.
  • June - Sept. 1991 — “American Clothing: Identity in Mass Culture, 1840-1990,” Johnson Museum, Cornell University. (Assistant Curator)
  • April - June 1990 — “Championship Material,” Genet Gallery, Syracuse University.
  • Oct. - Dec. 1989 — “Remembrance: Fashions of the 40s,” Genet Gallery, Syracuse University.
  • May 1985 — “1940s Costume,” Genet Gallery, Syracuse University.
  • May 1984 — “1930s Costume,” Genet Gallery, Syracuse University.
  • May 1983 — “Wedding Dresses Through Time,” Bird Library, Syracuse University.
  • May 1981 — “1890s Costume,” Bird Library, Syracuse University.
  • May 1980 — “Pieces from the American Costume Collection,” Bird Library, Syracuse University.
  • May 1979 — “1870s Costume,” Bird Library, Syracuse University.

OFFICES AND RECOGNITIONS:

  • President, Central District Home Economics Association, 1992 - 93.
  • President-Elect, Central District Home Economics Association, 1991 - 92.
  • Program Chair, Central District Home Economics Association, 1990 - 91.
  • Chair of Textile Section, New York State AHEA Meeting, April 1988.
  • Member of Board of Directors of Central New York Home Economics Association, 1980 - 81, 1982 - 86, and 1988 - present.
  • Member of Board of Directors of New York State Home Economics Association, 1980 - 81 and 1990 - 95.
  • Reviewer of Harper and Row, Publishers, Inc., for textbook manuscript, Textiles for Interiors.

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