Textile Manufacture During The Industrial Revolution

Textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution in Britain was centred on Greater Manchester, in southern Lancashire and the small towns both sides of the Pennines. In the United States it was in New England. The three key drivers of the industrial revolution were textile manufacturing, iron founding and steam power.

The industrial revolution changed the nature of work and society. It is estimated that the First Industrial Revolution took place between 1750 and 1850, and the second phase or Second Industrial Revolution between 1860 and 1900.

Prior to the 18th century, the manufacture of goods was performed on a limited scale by individual workers. in the premises where they lived – and goods were transported around the country by horse, or by river. Rivers navigations and some contour following canals had been constructed in the early 18th century. In the mid 18th century, artisans were inventing ways to become more productive. Silk, Wool, Fustian, the traditional fibres, were being eclipsed by cotton which was became the most important textile. This set the foundations for the changes.

Innovations in carding and spinning enabled by advances in cast iron ever larger spinning mules and water frames were constructed. They were housed in water driven mills on numerous streams. The need for more power stimulated the production of steam driven beam engines, and then rotative mill engines. The line shaft transmitted this power to each floor of the mill. Surplus power capacity encouraged the construction of ever more sophisticated power looms working in weaving sheds. The scale of production in the mill towns round Manchester created a need for a commercial structure; for a cotton exchange and warehousing earning Manchester the sobriquet Cottonopolis.

The technology was applied to other fibres causing the construction of woollen and worsted mills in neighbouring West Yorkshire.