
4 0 c m
33cm
actual image size: 25cm x 32cm
Description
Engraving by W Barlow. The trade card features a description of the services Richard Arkwright offered and the items he sold. The description is framed by an ornate border featuring a cartouche of wigs. Richard Arkwright (1732-1792) was the inventor of textile manufacturing machinery, which included the first practical means of mechanical spinning using rollers. Arkwright originally trained as a barber and wigmaker. It is likely that he became aware of attempts to mechanise the cotton spinning proces while travelling round North West England collecting hair for the wigs.
Image Details
Image Ref.
10418830
© Science Museum / Science & Society Picture Library