My USAF green "pickle suit" uniform in the 80's was made of polyester. And we knew that it would melt and stick to our skin in the event of a petroleum or elec

My USAF green "pickle suit" uniform in the 80's was made of polyester. And we knew that it would melt and stick to our skin in the event of a petroleum or electrical fire. Why did they ever make it from that material? It took a press well, so the creases were sharp. And it was cheap.