1. Mechanical yarn production as the basis of industrial
In 1530, the mason Johann Jürgens from Wattenbüttel invented the first practically proven spinning wheel with flyer and treadle (called the "Saxony Wheel"). Thus the transition from distaff to spinning wheel was made in the 15th and 16th centuries.
     

Spinning with the hand spinning wheel.

The oldest form of spinning wool by hand with the spinning drill or distaff and the spindle whorl.

Treadle spinning wheel.
 
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In 1764, the English weaver James Hargreaves invented the "Spinning Jenny", originally with 8 spindles that could later be increased to 16 spindles. Thus, eight threads could be spun at the same time. The first "Spinning Jenny" was destroyed by angry hand spinners, who were concerned about their jobs.

In 1769, the water-powered Arkwright "Waterframe Spinning Machine" was invented.

In 1771, Arkwright opened a mill in Cromford with 3000 spindles. The use of water power was introduced for spinning machines.

  

Card room of an English cotton spinning mill, 1835.

In 1779, Samuel Crompton combined the Hargreaves system with the Arkwright system to create the "Mule-Machine".

In 1781, Germany's first mechanical cotton spinning mill was established by the salesman Brügelmann in Cromford near Ratingen. First, a "Kratzmaschine" (carding machine) was set up, followed by the construction of the "Kratz Hand and Spinning Machine" in 1784.

  

Roving room of an English cotton spinning mill, 1835.

In 1790, Arkwright introduced the steam machine to his spinning mills.

In 1800, the mechanical production of wool yarn began, which was technologically more difficult than the mechanical production of cotton yarn. While in 1835 more than two thirds of all wool processed in Germany was spun by hand, in 1846 this decreased to only 60% and finally to below 7% in 1861.

  

Spinning room with Mule Machines, 1835.

In 1825, it finally became possible to mechanically spin flax to produce yarn.

Also in 1825, Richard Roberts developed an automatic spinning machine based on the "Mule Machine".

  

Roving frame of an Austrian cotton spinning mill, 2nd half of 19th century.

In 1830, the sewing machine was invented by Madersperger and independently also by the French Thimmonier.

After 1850, several improvements were made to the sewing machine, which then also enabled its use in the cottage industry and for the wholesale industry.

In parallel, the use of cotton for yarn production developed. Due to the relatively short fibers of cotton, it was difficult to spin them by hand. However, due to this very reason, cotton was predestined for mechanical spinning.

The triumph of cotton began as early as 1774, but its fate was sealed with the invention of the cotton gin in 1794.

  

Roving frame of an Austrian cotton spinning mill, 2nd half of 19th century.
 

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