The Textile Factory
In the early eighteenth century, Great Britain was determined to dominate the textile industry. Laws forbade the export of English textile machinery, drawings of the machinery, and written specifications of the machines that would allow them to be constructed in other countries.
Britain had the power loom, a steam-powered, mechanically-operated version of a regular loom for weaving. Britain also had the spinning frame that could produce stronger threads for yarns at a faster rate. Meanwhile the stories of what these machines could do excited envy in other countries. With its advanced power loom technology, the Waltham Mill became the forerunner of the American factory, and the company expanded rapidly as did the entire textile industry.
Britain had the power loom, a steam-powered, mechanically-operated version of a regular loom for weaving. Britain also had the spinning frame that could produce stronger threads for yarns at a faster rate. Meanwhile the stories of what these machines could do excited envy in other countries. With its advanced power loom technology, the Waltham Mill became the forerunner of the American factory, and the company expanded rapidly as did the entire textile industry.
