1-152-663 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Woman using a Spinning Jenny, c1880. The Spinning Jenny was invented by James Hargreaves (c1720-1778) in 1764. On his original machine, a single wheel controlled eight spindles rather than the single spindle on conventional spinning wheels. Later versions had upwards of eighty spindles. Spinners were suspicious of Hargreaves' invention, believing that it would enable mill owners to employ less workers.