Rodger Lehn, age 9, of Farmington, Wash., for his question:

HOW IS NYLON MADE?

Unlike wool which comes from an animal, or cotton which comes from a plant, nylon is made in a laboratory. It's an artificial material made from air, coal, water and petroleum and plant chemicals.

The strong product, which is used for ropes, tubing, fishing line, ladies' stockings and many other products, was developed in 1938 by a Du Pont Co. chemist named Dr. Wallace Carothers.

Compounds are heated by steam and then put under pressure. Semi solid nylon is then made into sheet form, reheated and finally forced through fine holes to come out as fibers. It's a marvelous product.