John Kay (flying shuttle)

John Kay (June 17, 1704 – 1780) was the inventor of the flying shuttle, which was one of the catalysts of the Industrial Revolution.

Related Topics:
June 17 - 1704 - 1780 - Inventor - Flying shuttle - Industrial Revolution

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He was born in Bury, Lancashire, England. 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. The production of cotton yarn was generally insufficient to keep up with the demand for hand-loom weavers, and so his invention was not appreciated by weavers who thought it would steal their jobs; 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.

Related Topics:
Bury - Lancashire - England - Weaving - Weft - Warp - Cloth - Cotton - Yarn - Hand-loom - France - Drop box

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