Something else was happening

Cloth had been made in Britain for centuries, but the work had always been done in small workshops or in people’s cottages. The spinning wheels were pushed into a corner when the family wanted to eat.

A great change took place in the last quarter of the 18th century. New inventions were changing the way in which cloth was made. When Samuel Greg began to build his mill in 1783, he built it to house spinning frames. These spinning frames were large.

The workers needed plenty of light so the factory windows were large. The machines needed power from a water wheel. Samuel Greg was using new technology.

Young Robert Greg as always trying to persuade his father to use even newer technology. The newest power looms for weaving could be powered by water or steam. Samuel was not sure. It was a big risk. When he died in 1834, he had still not agreed to change.

After his death, his son Robert lost no time. In 1836, alterations were made to the building. Quarry Bank Mill soon had power looms, just like Cartwright’s power loom. Now they could weave at Quarry Bank Mill too.

 

Flying Shuttle   The Flying Shuttle make weaving faster than it had been before. John Kay	Spinning Mule   The spinning mule was used to make high quality strong thread.  Samuel Cromptom
Water Frame   The water Frame was powered by water. It could only be used in factories. It also made much stronger tread. Richard Arkwright	Power Loom   This slowly took over all weaving and it was powered by water or steam. Edmund Cartwrigt
	Spinning Jenny   This machine could spin eight yarns at once. James Hargreaves

These are a few videos of different machines working.

The Power Loom

High Quality

Medium Quality 

Movie 3 - power loom

Movie 4 - power loom