Lycra fabric is also known as spandex or elastane because of its exceptional elasticity quality. Lycra was first of all invented by by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1959 and this caused the revolution in the fabric industry.
Although Lycra fabric is the type of Spandex fabric yet there is a difference between the two. Lycra is the registered trademark of Invista, formerly DuPont. Whereas Spandex is a general category of fabric that has been defined by the federal trade comission.
Lycra spandex fabric consists of polymer chains with having rigid and flexible portions giving the lycra fabric the ability to stretch and retain its shape significantly. Among all the types the nylon lycra is the most popular and extensively used for making the women's undergarments.