In the mid 1800s, a pervasive disease decimated silkworm agriculture in France. In an effort to save the silk-production industry, the French government persuaded Louis Pasteur, well-respected for ...

But why is it so expensive? Silk is the product of the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori. The caterpillars eat constantly. They're fed mulberry leaves five times a day. After 45 days of munching ...