Burberry: The Fabric of Protection and Thomas Burberry's History
Explore the history of Thomas Burberry and the technical innovation behind his 1856 Basingstoke start, evolving from a draper's apprentice to a fashion pioneer.
Best quote from Burberry: The Fabric of Protection and Thomas Burberry's History
Burberry wasn't born out of a desire for 'luxury' in the way we think of it now—it was born out of technical innovation and a need for protection.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
History of Burberry
Frequently Asked Questions
Thomas Burberry was a former draper’s apprentice who founded his namesake company in 1856 in Basingstoke, Hampshire. At just twenty-one years old, he viewed the unpredictable British weather as a business opportunity rather than a nuisance. His vision was to create clothing that acted as a literal shield against the elements, focusing on technical innovation and protection rather than the modern concept of luxury fashion.
In the mid-1800s, the standard waterproof option was the rubberized mackintosh, which Thomas Burberry found to be cumbersome and non-breathable, essentially acting like a wearable sauna. Burberry sought to outsmart the clouds by tinkering with fabrics to create a superior alternative. His goal was to move away from heavy, uncomfortable materials toward technical innovations that offered protection from the rain without sacrificing the wearer's comfort or breathability.
The brand's heritage is rooted in the idea of the 'fabric of protection.' Thomas Burberry spent years experimenting with textiles to solve the problem of rain-drenched British weather. This focus on utility and technical advancement led to the development of garments like the trench coat. Unlike other high-fashion moguls of his time, Burberry’s work began in a humble Hampshire setting driven by the practical need for breathable, weather-resistant clothing.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
