Cotton Gin
Short history of the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney.
Flax and Hemp gin
Page from the Illustrated London News of November 1, 1862, with an illustration of the American flax gin developed by Sandford and Mallory, and a short description of its operation.
Medieval North European Spindles and Whorls
Short article with descriptions of the spindles and whorls used by Scandinavian yarn spinners from 800 to 1500 CE. Author: Carolyn Priest-Dorman.
Monticello: The Plantation
Short article on the development of mechanised yarn spinning and cloth weaving on Thomas Jefferson's Monticello cotton plantation in 1812. Comprehensive resources, related to Jefferson.
On Power Looms
Excerpts from an early 19th century autobiography, written by William Radcliffe, and dealing with the implications of the introduction of the power loom for the local textile industry. Edited by Mr. Paul Halsall for the Modern History Sourcebook.
Some Textile History
Collection of short, illustrated articles on the technical inventions and developments in the textile industry, from the first spinning jennie to yarn twisting. From the University of New South Wales.
Spindle Spinning
Article about the history of yarn spinning and the emergence of the spindle as a tool in the process. Also, fiber selection and preparation, and the technology of hand spinning and plying of yarns. From the Kingdom of Ealdormere. Author: Ercadh Padraic.
The Distaff
Extensive article about the history of the distaff, a tool used in the hand spinning of yarns to prevent fibers from becoming disarrayed, matted or felted, and dates back to the earliest history of textile manufacturing. From the Kingdom of Ealdormere. Author: Ercadh Padraic.
The Steam Loom
Excerpt from Richard Guest's, Compendious History of the Cotton Manufacture (1823), and dealing with the invention and application of the steam loom in the British textile industry. Edited by Mr. Paul Halsall for the Modern History Sourcebook.