Leizu

Xi Ling-Shi (Chinese: 嫘祖; pinyin: Léi Zǔ) is a legendary Chinese empress, who according to tradition, discovered silk.

According to traditon Xi Ling-Shi discoverd silk when she noticed silkworms while on a walk. She used her finger to touch a worm, and a strand of silk came out. The silk continued to come out, and as it did she wrapped it around her finger; when the silk ran out she saw a small cocoon and realized that this cocoon was the source of the silk. Xi Ling-Shi taught this to people and the knowledge became widespread.