Technology Then and Now free essay sample

During the industrial revolution many inventions were created to do just that. For example, in 1733 the flying shuttle was invented by John Kay. The flying shuttle doubled the work a weaver could do in a day. Next, there was the spinning wheel invented by John Hargreaves in 1764. The spinning wheel was made to work 8 threads at the same time. Lastly, in 1769, Richard Arkwright invented the water frame, which used waterpower from rapid streams to drive spinning wheels. These are just a few of the many inventions that have influenced the world we know today. Before John Kay invented the flying shuttle in 1733, it took a long time for weavers to produce cloth. After, they were able to speed up the process of making the cloth with this shuttle that was a boat shaped piece of wood, and sped back and forth on wheels. Also the flying shuttle boosted profits, because there was more product being produced. We will write a custom essay sample on Technology Then and Now or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This invention spurred a change in the textile industry, but soon there would be an even more convenient invention to top the flying shuttle, because of the speedy weavers that the spinners could not keep up with. James Hargreaves invented the next big step in the textile industry, the spinning wheel, a. k. a the spinning Jenny in 1764. He named his spinning wheel after his daughter. The spinning wheel made it possible to work 8 threads at the same time. Cash was awarded to the inventor of a new, and better version of Kays flying shuttle, or spinning machine. Both at first were operated by hand, but later there would also be an even more convenient way to produce the desired product quicker and easier. Finally, in 1769 Richard Arkwright invented the water frame which made working a spinning wheel more efficient, and prevented the spinners from having to use their hands. Later, in 1779, Samuel Crompton combined parts from the spinning wheel, and the water frame, to produce the spinning mule. Which made better thread, that was stronger and finer and was more stable than past spinning wheels. The water frame, and spinning mule made the whole weaving task easier and quicker. So the invention of the flying shuttle had a domino effect on the textile industry. They started off with Kays flying shuttle that doubled the production of cloth produced in a day. Then they moved to Hargreaves spinning wheel, which multiplied that number, and enabled the spinner to work 8 threads at one time. But it all led up to the invention of Cromptons spinning mule, which was the combination of the spinning wheel, and Arkwrights water frame. These eventually led to the machines used today to produce mass amounts of cloth. These inventions, among others are important because they have led us to a bigger and better way of producing goods.