In this paper recent progress in the tensile drawing behaviour of poly
ester fibres at Leeds University will be reviewed in the Light of earl
ier studies. It is hoped that this review of earlier studies of a subj
ect which has developed over the last forty years will be a fitting tr
ibute to mark Professor John Hearle's 70th birthday, and suitably ackn
owledge his many contributions to fibre science and technology over th
e whole of this period of time.