Spinning Jenny (Hargreaves' design)
Model of a Spinning Jenny at Bankfield Museum, near Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Author: Textile Department Bankfield Museum
Date: not dated
Location: Halifax
Format: Postcard - Mono
Document ID: 100101
Library ID: 34559478
This example of a spinning jenny is from the Textile Department of Bankfield Museum, Halifax.
Invented by James Hargreaves in 1763, the Spinning Jenny was a great leap forward in textile engineering. Kay's flying shuttle had increased the need for yarn and the Spinning Jenny could spin up to eight threads at a time, and it was also easily operable by children. Hargreaves did not promote his invention commercially, it was overtaken by Richard Arkwright's water frame and Samuel Crompton's mule. The name derives from the term spinning engine.
Bankfield House was built for Edward Akroyd (1810-1887) who lived there from 1837 to 1856. The grandson of James Akroyd who in 1811 founded the world's largest worsted manufacturers: James Akroyd & Son. Edward was a benevolent employer, supporting many organisations and institutions which enabled his employees to seek better living conditions. He built Ackroyden to house his workers and provided them with low cost allotments. He also founded All Souls Church in 1855, after purchasing a former Baptist church at Haley Hill. It is now Bankfield Museum, which presents international exhibitions of costume, fabrics, textiles, and toys.
Still standing 2003.
