Later Developments
The original spinning mill they constructed in Nottingham in 1769 was powered by horses, an expense making the operation unprofitable. But, the concept was proven, allowing Arkright to gather investors, and construct a more elaborate water-powered mill. That mill (build in Cromford 1771) powered its "spinning frame" economically from the Derwent - making it the "water frame". It revolutionized the industry and made Arkwright and partners - but not Kay - wealthy men.
In 1781, Arkwright went to court to protect his patent rights (against infringers). Four years later (in a long-running court battle) Highs, Kay and Kay's wife (Sarah) all testified that Arkwright had stolen High's invention of the rollers "by the medium of Mr Kay". Because of his own testimony, and because he had fled his bond with Arkwright under a felony charge, the character and veracity of John Kay were questioned in the trial. But the judge did not require that the jury be convinced of the intellectual property theft; he instructed them to set Arkwright's patent aside (even if they thought he was its inventor) if they believed that it was insufficiently novel, or that he had failed to adequately describe it in his patent. The jury immediately found against Arkwright (a popular verdict) but no rights were ever transferred to Highs or Kay.
Read more about this topic: John Kay (spinning Frame)
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