Ripstop nylon

Rip-stop Nylon is a light-weight, water-repellent nylon fabric with inter-woven ripstop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch pattern, so the material resists ripping or tearing.

Rip-stop nylon is often used in hot air balloons, kites, parachutes, camping equipment such as lightweight tents and sleeping bags, flags, banners, and many other applications which require a strong lightweight fabric. Rip-stop reinforcement can also be incorporated into heavier fabrics which require extreme durability, such as those used in the manufacture of luggage and Nomex protective clothing for riot police.

Although not commonly used in the 1940s, ripstop nylon was in wide use by the late 1960s.