preamble

In the 1800's many changes occurred in peoples life; Many previous hand craft skills became mechanised.

 

In textiles the invention of a mechanised spinning machine (Spinning Jenny: Spinning Mules; initially 4 spindles eventually upto 120) made yarn production less labour intensive. The new spinning machines could spin four (or more) yarns parallel to each other. Next the looms to weave the cloth were mechanised.

Initially the power for these new machines came from water, in streams and dams; then changed to steam power; with a central boiler and a steam engine driving a “line shaft” from which several machines could be driven by a pulley and belt

 

The power of steam was harnessed

 

Transport was being improved with steam driven vehicles and railways to transport goods around the country. Existing villages were extended to the size of towns. With the factories built by the streams, houses were built around the factories; often the factory owners had domestic premises built alongside or within the factory buildings. Eventually factory owners and managers built homes on the slopes and higher ground

 

In the textile industry several small firms set up to provide a single product from scouring the raw wool to spinning; dyeing; weaving and finishing the woven cloth

This often led to delays and variation of the end product.

New firms opened where they combined all the various stages into one firm where they bought the raw wool completed the whole process including sales of the finished cloth on one site

 

One such was Worth's {Worth; Ward and Stubley} (Worth's were small farmers/ land owners: Ward Blacksmiths & engineers; Stubley were well known small holders {weavers/ farmers})

 

They used their knowledge of the Yorkshire Dales farmers to buy the best quality fleece

Ward selected & modified machinery to suit their needs; taking on and training staff for their operation. Plus a team of engineers who specialised in each type of machine. 319 words

In the 1800's many changes occurred in peoples life; Many previous hand craft skills became mechanised.

 

In textiles the invention of a mechanised spinning machine (Spinning Jenny: Spinning Mules; initially 4 spindles eventually upto 120) made yarn production less labour intensive. The new spinning machines could spin four (or more) yarns parallel to each other. Next the looms to weave the cloth were mechanised.

Initially the power for these new machines came from water, in streams and dams; then changed to steam power; with a central boiler and a steam engine driving a “line shaft” from which several machines could be driven by a pulley and belt

 

The power of steam was harnessed

 

Transport was being improved with steam driven vehicles and railways to transport goods around the country. Existing villages were extended to the size of towns. With the factories built by the streams, houses were built around the factories; often the factory owners had domestic premises built alongside or within the factory buildings. Eventually factory owners and managers built homes on the slopes and higher ground

 

In the textile industry several small firms set up to provide a single product from scouring the raw wool to spinning; dyeing; weaving and finishing the woven cloth

This often led to delays and variation of the end product.

New firms opened where they combined all the various stages into one firm where they bought the raw wool completed the whole process including sales of the finished cloth on one site

 

One such was Worth's {Worth; Ward and Stubley} (Worth's were small farmers/ land owners: Ward Blacksmiths & engineers; Stubley were well known small holders {weavers/ farmers})

 

They used their knowledge of the Yorkshire Dales farmers to buy the best quality fleece

Ward selected & modified machinery to suit their needs; taking on and training staff for their operation. Plus a team of engineers who specialised in each type of machine. 319 words

 

The number of people leaving the land for work in the mills required a considerable increase in houses; and hence building firms

The local firm Oldroyds were quick to see the need and took on men as bricklayers, joiners all building trades

They bought up plots of land for housing

They put in tenders for public buildings > Town Hall, Libraries  

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

An interesting read. The industrial revolution and the impact it had was huge. My husband was a mechanical engineer when he was working and has always had an interest in heavy machinery, with a particular love of engines and steam. He originates from the north of England and knows quite a bit about mills and looms. You must have done a great deal of research on this subject which is informative and well written. Thank you.

[Wild Rose]

I was an engineer My family were the founders of one of the mills> dads uncle the chief engineer (also a long distance open water swimmer of some note)
I used to see the main steam engine when we went into the mill

Granny's family (on mums side) were builders we lived in one of their houses

I was not sure how the prologue would be taken > may be uninteresting - perhaps to some _ I could take it much deeper _ Gran was a mender dad an inspector. Wife works as a mill girl winding

[Wild Rose]

Machine went daft
Winding yarn into hanks (A reeler)
Another gf (mutual friend) was a weaver operating six looms >> Mum was a tailores > later in the book >> Wife worked as a reeler not works now

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed an interesting and too soon forgotton history. To know where we are going we need to know where we came from. There seems to be a duplication of the story on this post?

[Wild Rose]

Thank you
I began to write about my wartime childhood
The intro grew
Then I went further back to 1800 ish with a book /collection 'Birth of an Empire' wiith three people sitting outside a pub/inn on market day in Hawes N.Yorkshire

[Einstein Noodle]

really like the history ..the setting of wool, yarn and textiles for me is very interesting .. and having started reading this more towards the end .. it is a tribute to you that in that one short chapter with no mention of time period but coal .. i was able to jump into the story .. tho now i see we are in Yorkshire ... not Brooklyn ;)
E.

[Wild Rose]

The area I was brought up in was called 'The heavy woollen district' _ when the sing Jerusalem at the WI's (Womens Institues) and come to the bit - 'was Jerusalem builded here amongst those dark satanic mills' I think of this area and the insides of Stubley's mill (and the smell of wool )

[Einstein Noodle]

vivid images...no wonder inspiration struck you

[Wild Rose]

Rugby ground just down the road > kids swings and a bowling green, tennis club
Oh and shops

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .....................

[Coyote Poetry]

Wonderful story telling and history shared. I read a later chapter. I had to read the complete story. Thank you Wild Rose for sharing the amazing words and story.
Coyote

[Wild Rose]

Sorry I have just come across your comment
I began as the story of my wartime childhood
read moreSorry I have just come across your comment
I began as the story of my wartime childhood

I have gone further back to three people meeting outside an inn/pub in Hawes N Yorks @The Birth of an Empire"

[Coyote Poetry]

A very interesting story. I look forward to reading more.

[Wild Rose]

I have put them into a collection/book
Harry Worth wartime childhood

[emmajoy]

Your view of that time and the details given are so broad, so interesting - tis like drawing back heavy curtains and seeing a time that this reader knows is an introduction to a period in history that will make vast changes in our society. Part of me wanted, needed. a little dialogue to make the descriptions more - let's say, picturesque, personal. But there again, YOU - the writer is the master and, the words, his minions! Industry was our backbone once upon a time, your words express that in such an eye-opening way. I wonder if history books will be as inspiring when this small island is described as more storage-depot than country full of creativity and inspiration to the rest of the world. Sighhhh.

[Wild Rose]

Thanks > Unsure now this was where I began to write
I am about to post an alternative
Bit more detail as suggested by Barley girl & some chat
In those days No mobile phones, TV, internet - WE HAD a wireless (radio)

[emmajoy]

I started in the wrong place so have gone to where i think it all began. It's more than interesting anyway..

[Wild Rose]

I wrote things down as they came to mind _ then copied into a file > Joined WC and posted out of order by mistake > Actually seeking comments Good or bad

[barleygirl]

It seems to me that some of these paragraphs are repeated . . . as if this has been copied here twice or something like that.

This is a well-written & interesting description of the evolution of this particular industry. Your explanations are brief & untangled, so as to not be over-complicated for those not mechanically inclined (I took mechanical engineering in college, myself). I worked in several different industries where fresh produce was processed in various ways. I loved knowing all about the way the various aspects of the process went & I enjoyed explaining it to fellow employees in bitesize weekly postings on the company intranet over the years. This took me back to that favorite worktime endeavor. So I totally understand your obvious enjoyment in sharing what you know about this industry (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wild Rose]

Read it earlier - I did remove the repeated pararaphs
I intend to edit this - or completely replace it - eventually
I do love your (Some times harsh) comments (Needed)
Pete