Lancashire Pioneers
Pioneers in the field of:
Textiles
The following pioneers were involved in textiles
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Richard Arkwright (1732 - 1792),
born in Preston; inventor of the water frame for mechanizing cotton spinning and one of the pioneers of the modern factory system. |
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Birley Family of Kirkham.
Several generations from late seventeenth to late nineteenth century. Merchants and manufacturers of sailcloth for the Royal Navy. |
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John Mercer (1791 - 1866),
a self-taught chemist, was born and lived in Great Harwood and Clayton-le-Moors. He invented the mercerisation process for treating cotton which is still in use today and was a pioneer in colour photography. |
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James Thomson (1779 - 1850),
an accomplished chemist and leading light in the calico printing industry at Primrose Mill, Clitheroe. |
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David Whitehead (1790 - 1865),
born in Rossendale and manufactured cotton there; built a school for cotton workers' children, 80 workers' homes, a Methodist chapel and two cotton mills. |
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