Background
James Hargreaves was born on December 13, 1720 in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
The improved spinning jenny that was used in textile mills
Model of the spinning jenny in a museum in Wuppertal, Germany
James Hargreaves was born on December 13, 1720 in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
About 1760 James Hargreaves constructed an improved carding machine and seems to have invented the spinning jenny (so-called for unknown reasons) about 1764. This invention was the first to enable the human individual to spin wool, cotton, or flax into a plurality of threads at the same time and by one operation.
When Hargreaves sold some of his new machines, spinners using the old-fashioned wheel became alarmed and in 1768 looted his house, destroying his jenny and his loom. He then moved to Nottingham, where, in partnership with a Mr. James, he erected a small cotton mill in which the jenny was utilized, and in 1770 he obtained a patent on his invention.
A few years after his death there were more than 20,000 hand jennies at work in England, but he had failed to realize any large profit from his invention and had died comparatively poor.
James Hargreaves was illiterate and worked as a hand loom weaver during most of his life.
Physical Characteristics: He was described as "stout, broadest man of about five-foot ten, or rather more".
James Hargreaves married and baptismal records show he has 13 children.