Historic England - James Hardgreaves

A weaver and carpenter from Blackburn, Hargreaves is credited with inventing the spinning jenny in 1764. There is some debate over whether Hargreaves or Thomas Highs, who had a daughter called Jenny, actually came up with the idea but Hargreaves went on to design it.  Opposition to the machine caused Hargreaves to move to Nottingham where the hosiery industry benefited from his design.

 

 

Places to visit

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
Watch working models of spinning and weaving machinery in this museum's enormous collection of material relating to the area's famous cotton industry.

Bolton Museums
Events and activities for the whole family.