1-153-711 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Cotton manufacture: mule spinning, c1830. A self-acting mule of the type devised by Richard Roberts in 1825. Roberts' spinning mule produced better yarn than any other machine and kept its place in the textile industry right up to the 1950s.The roof of the building is supported by iron trusses. Note the boy on the right employed to crawl under the threads and sweep up.