History of the Textile Industry

The textile industry in the 19 th Century The beginning of textile production go back to the stone age. The early process of textile manufacturing were done by hand, using very basic equipment. The first sewing needles were made of bone or animal horn. Iron needles were invented in the 14 th century.

Textile technology did not begin to develop until the invention of the spinning machine and mechanical loom in the 18 th century. Textile manufacturing was a spring board for the industrial revolution.

In 1733 the flying shuttle was invented. The flying shuttle revolutionised the woollen and cotton industries by increasing their output considerably.

This led to an increased need for yarn production. In 1864 the spinning jenny was invented. It allowed 16 or more yarns to be spun simultaneously by the same person.

In 1769 Richard Arkwright invented a spinning frame powered by a water wheel. This machine was the first powered, automatic textile machine. The water wheel changed the textile industry from a cottage industry to a factory industry.

The first power weaving loom was invented in It improved the commercial success of weaving because it had greater productivity that a manually operated one. The loom only produced a plain weave.

The cotton gin was invented in it could do a days work of several men in 1 hour.

In 1801 the jacquard loom was invented, which was the first loom to produce tapestry fabrics.

In 1828 John Thorpe invented the process of ring spinning. This system of continuous spinning is still used today.

The first sewing machine was patented in in 1851, Isaac Singer patented an improved version. The development of practical sewing machines contributed to the growth of the ready-made clothing industry in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries.

In 1856, William Perkin discovered the first synthetic dye. Up until this time all dyes had come from natural sources.

The first synthetic fibres were produced in France in 1884.

During the 20 th century, new textile materials and processes were the main area of innovation for the textile industry. By the end of the century, textile manufacturers could design and develop fibres, yarns, fabrics and fabric finishes for specific end uses.