Wu Fuyang Sock Story Museum Introduction
Wu Fu Yang Knitting was founded in 1936 during the Japanese colonial period. For 85 years, it has focused on sock weaving. Unlike the general manufacturing model of socks, Wu Fu Yang controls every aspect from raw materials, design, weaving, to sales, ensuring the quality standards of the old sock factory. The company has produced over 100 million pairs of socks, which, if connected, could wrap around the Earth. In the 1930s, there were no specialized sock weaving factories in Taiwan during the Japanese era. The first-generation Chairman Wu Nai Yang seized the opportunity by importing advanced hand-operated sock knitting machines from abroad and invited skilled craftsmen from Shanghai to teach the production of high-quality stockings, thus beginning the Wu family's connection to socks. Wu Nai Yang named the company "Wu Fu Yang" by combining one character from his own name and his father's name, in memory of his ancestors and to acknowledge his roots. Starting with hand-operated knitting machines, the sock industry has undergone progress from semi-automatic to fully automated high-capacity production, and has evolved with the enhancement of environmentally friendly and functional materials as well as brand management. Wu Fu Yang Knitting has played a part in the history of Taiwan's sock industry development. The third-generation operator, Wu Hong Zhou, hopes to establish a sock museum to preserve the development of the Taiwanese sock industry and the history of Wu Fu Yang. "While many in the industry have relocated to China, we remain committed to keeping our roots in Taiwan. We hope to provide an entertaining and educational experience for the public by opening up the sock weaving process and encouraging participation, aiming to offer tourists a rich experience and contribute to Taiwan’s sock industry."
