|
John Kay (b. 1704 - d. 1780) was the inventor of the flying shuttle, one of the catalysts of the Industrial Revolution.
He was born in Bury, Lancashire, England on July 16, 1704. His invention greatly speeded up weaving by allowing the shuttle carrying the weft to be passed through the warp threads more quickly and over a greater width of cloth. His invention was not appreciated by weavers who thought it would steal their jobs, and consequently he was persecuted and his constructions were damaged or destroyed. He fled England to live in France, and died in penury. His son Robert stayed in England, and developed the drop box, which allowed wefts of multiple colours to be used.
See also
External links
|
