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spinning mule
Introduction References & Edit History
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automatic spinning mule cotton manufacture
Quick Facts
Key People:
Samuel Crompton
Richard Roberts
Related Topics:
machine
spinning
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spinning mule

textiles
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History

spinning mule, Multiple-spindle spinning machine invented by Samuel Crompton (1779), which permitted large-scale manufacture of high-quality thread for the textile industry. Crompton’s machine made it possible for a single operator to work more than 1,000 spindles simultaneously, and was capable of spinning fine as well as coarse yarn.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Robert Curley.