Inventors
Flying
Shuttle
By
Mary
Bellis
In 1733, John Kay invented the flying
shuttle, an improvement to looms that enabled weavers to weave faster.
The original shuttle contained a bobbin on to which the weft (weaving term
for the crossways yarn) yarn was wound. It was normally pushed from one
side of the warp (weaving term for the the series of yarns that extended
lengthways in a loom) to the other side by hand. Large looms needed two
weavers to throw the shuttle. The flying shuttle was thrown by a leaver
that could be operated by one weaver.
John Kay was the twelfth child of
a farmer and born in Lancashire on July 16, 1704. In 1753, his home was
attacked by textile workers who were angry that his inventions might take
work away from them. Kay fled England for France where he died in poverty
around 1780.
Kay's invention paved the way for
mechancal power looms, however, the technology would have to wait another
thirty years before a power loom was invented
by Edmund Cartwright in 1787.
John
Kay
John Kay invented the flying shuttle
in 1733.
The
"Flying Shuttle"
In May 1733, Kay patented his "New
Engine of Machine for Opening and Dressing Wool". This machine included
the Flying Shuttle.
Flying
Shuttle Image
Related Innovations
Industrial
Revolution - Timeline of the Textile Industry
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