The Industrialization of Textiles: A Timeline

Thanks to Mrs Jean Mellings for suggesting William Lee — George P. Landow

1563 Rev. William Lee, born at Woodborough near Nottingham, invents the Stocking Frame, a mechanical device for knitting stockings.

1712 Thomas Newcomen builds first commercially successful steam engine. First significant power source other than wind and water.

1733 John Kay's flying shuttle.

1765 James Hargreaves invents the spinning jenny, automating weaving the warp (in the weaving of cloth).

1769 Arkwright's "water" (powered) frame automates the weft.

1775 Watt's first efficient steam engine, much more efficient than the Newcomen.

1779 First steam powered mills. Crompton's "mule" combines Hargreaves' and Arkwright's machines, fully automating the weaving process.

1786 Arkwright puts a Watt engine in the Albion cotton mill, Blackfriars Bridge, London.

1787 Cartwright builds a power loom.

1793 Eli Whitney develops his cotton gin (a device to clean raw cotton).

1821 Faraday demonstrates electro-magnetic rotation, the principle of the electric motor.

1831 Faraday discovers electro-magnetic current, making possible generators and electric engines.

1851 Singer invents first practical sewing machine.

1856 W.H. Perkin produces aniline dyes, permitting brightly colored cottons.

Last modified 6 August 2018