Power loom

The Power Loom (British Industrial Revolution)

By wmcc
  • Period: to

    The Power Loom

  • The birth of Edmund Cartwright

    The birth of Edmund Cartwright
    Edmund Cartwright was born in Low Marnham, United Kingdom, to William and Anne Cartwright.

  • Richard Arkwright invents the spinning frame

    Richard Arkwright invents the spinning frame
    Richard Arkwright, with assistance of John Kay, invented the spinning frame.

  • Edmund Cartwright graduates Oxford University

    Edmund Cartwright graduates Oxford University
    Cartwright graduated from Oxford University in 1766, obtaining a master's degree.

  • Cartwright designs the first power loom

    Cartwright designs the first power loom
    After gaining inspiration from visiting Arkwright's cotton-spinning mills in 1784, Cartwright came up with the first design for the power loom. At this time, the idea of a fully automatic loom was very farfetched to the public, but Cartwright continued to design his concept.

  • Edmund Cartwright develops the first power loom

    Edmund Cartwright develops the first power loom
    The year after it was designed, Edmund Cartwright successfully developed a functioning power loom.

  • Cartwright obtains a patent for the power loom

    Cartwright obtains a patent for the power loom
    Edmund Cartwright obtained rights to his invention on April 4th, 1785.

  • Edmund Cartwright develops an improved power loom

    Edmund Cartwright develops an improved power loom
    As the previous design that Cartwright invented was fairly poor due to his inexperience, he created a new and improved power loom that proved to be more efficient.

  • Edmund Cartwright opens a weaving factory

    Edmund Cartwright opens a weaving factory
    Cartwright implemented his new and improved power looms into a weaving mill in Doncaster, UK.

  • William Horrocks improves the power loom

    William Horrocks improves the power loom
    In 1803, William Horrocks improved Cartwright's power loom, by adding an improved method of taking cloth onto a beam once it had been woven, and developing a new and innovative metal frame; neat and compact, allowing many looms to be in use within a small area.

  • William Horrocks further improves the power loom

    William Horrocks further improves the power loom
    Horrocks developed further modification to the 'lathe motion' in the power loom, increasing its efficiency.

  • The death of Edmund Cartwright

    The death of Edmund Cartwright
    Edmund Cartwright, the original inventor of the power loom, died on the 30th of October, 1823

  • 250,000 steam-powered looms are in use

    250,000 steam-powered looms are in use
    During 1857, approximately 250,000 power looms were in use in Europe; a majority being located in Lancanshire.