Richard Arkwright

Sir Richard Arkwright (b. the last of 13 children December 23, 1732, d. August 3, 1792) was an Englishman credited with the spinning frame — later renamed the water frame following the transition to water power. The spinning frame – loosely based on the spinning jenny of James Hargreaves – was developed in 1769, and the world's first water-powered cotton mill was built in 1771 at Cromford, Derbyshire, (now one of the Derwent Valley Mills) creating one of the catalysts for the Industrial Revolution. He was knighted in 1786.

See also

• Timeline of clothing and textiles technology