Arkwright (1732-1792)
Arkwright was the inventor of the first practical means of mechanical spinning using rollers.

John Kay (1704-1764)
John Kay patented the flying shuttle in 1733. It led to revolutionisation of the weaving industry.

John Mercer (1791-1866)
John Mercer invented a process which gives cotton a lustre resembling silk - a process known as 'mercerisation'.

Jacquard (1752-1834)
Jacquard invented a loom which used a punched card system to weave complicated patterns in textiles.

Joshua Heilmann (1796-1848)
Joshua Heilmann invented the first machine for combing cotton.

Heinrich Caro
Heinrich Caro, a German chemist discovered the formula for producing synthetic mauve dye, and also discovered the synthesis of cinnamic acid from benzaldehyde.

John Kennedy
John Kennedy, Scottish cotton spinner and textile machine maker was responsible for inventing the 'Jack frame' spinning device.

Richard Roberts (Mid-19th century)
In 1825 he invented the Roberts self-acting spinning mule which produced better yarn than any other machine right through 1950's

Sir William Henry Perkin
Sir William Henry Perkin, English chemist, 1906.

Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney, American inventor, is credited with the invention of the cotton gin (patented in 1793; 'gin' is short for engine)

Richard Roberts (1789-1864)
Richard Roberts is known for having improved upon or invented machine tools, including one of the first metal-planing machines.

Cartwright (1785-1787)
Cartwright patented a water-powered loom (later steam-powered) to run the weaving mechanisms.