In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Lancashire was the country's foremost textiles manufacturing centre. Discover objects revealing the key mechanical processes of cloth manufacturing as well as technological advancements in the field.
Textile Industry
Moisture tester, made by the Record Electrical Co. Ltd, Broadheath.
Bed of Jacquard loom made by Butterworth & Dickinson Ltd, Burnley, and used for weaving the nose cones for Concorde aeroplanes.
c.1840
Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.
c.1980
Sample of Monastral fast blue BS dye, made by ICI, Manchester, c.1980.
Lang Bridge Ltd company sign.
c. 1860
Small wares loom, made by T. Larmuth & Co., Manchester, around 1860.
c.1920
Lap scales, c.1920.
Wooden stool.
Wooden box stool.
Wooden stool with four legs and octagonal seat, around 1835.
c. 1920
Wrapping block, made by John Nesbitt, Manchester, c.1920.
1877
Wrap reel/hank winder, made by John Nesbitt, Manchester, 1877.
Head of Jacquard loom, made by Butterworth & Dickinson Ltd, Burnley, and used for weaving the nose cone for Concorde.
Pestle and mortar, made by Wedgwood.
c1900
Fabric bolt end, made by Spruce Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Manchester.
1886
Hand woven decorative cotton quilt known as a Caddow quilt, Bolton, 1886.
1864-1924
Cop tubing apparatus made in Oldham by John Swailes and Sons between 1864 and 1924 for use on spinning machines. Built into a case with model spinning mule fallers and spindles, it comes with a small metal basket holding colourful paper cops.
1875-1900
Treadle-operated sewing machine made by Bradbury & Company Limited; missing lid.
1920-1960
Wooden flying shuttle with pirn of cotton yarn, c.1920 - 1960. From Elm Street Mill, Burnley. Engraved on one side with a patent number: 753 328
1880-1900
Treadle-operated sewing machine, made by Bradbury and Company Limited.
1887
Barlow & Jones Limited Woven banner for the Jubilee Exhibition 1887
1922-1927
Model of Sir John Holden & Sons cotton mill, Bolton, made by Basset-Lowke. This mill was probably the last spinning mill to be built. It was erected in 1927 and was an all electric red brick mill which was supplied from the town mains. This is the reason for there only being two boilers for heating and no chimney or mill lodge.
A Boyce weavers knotter, made by Mellor Bromley Company Limited.
Glass bottle, J Pratt & Son, around 1880, made in Ancoats and found at Murrays' Mills in Ancoats during the archaeological survey of the site.
1880-1910
Shaft and Spindle Indicator, in velvet lined box, made by Goodbrand & Co. Ltd in Manchester, around 1880.
Wooden flying shuttle, c.1920 - 1960. From Elm Street Mill, Burnley. Engraved on one side with a patent number: 753 328
1973
Nova 3/12 minicomputer, made by Data General Corporation, c.1973, used in a North West textile mill to monitor production using software made by Dextralog.
1901
Roller cotton gin made by Platt Brothers & Co. Ltd, Oldham, c.1901.
c. 1915
Sewing machine made by Bradbury and Co. Ltd, Oldham c.1915 and instruction booklet.
1948-1950
Prototype Terylene nightdress, made by ICI, Manchester, 1948-1950.
Air-jet loom made by A. B. Maxbo, Norrkoping, Sweden c.1950.
Stapler, made by Vanguard.
around 1950
Patchwork quilt, made from S&J Watts fabric samples, Manchester, around 1950.
Single Thread Tester made by Goodbrand & Co. Ltd in Manchester. Used to test the strength of threads.
1800-1860
Braiding machine, made by G. Harris, East London, early to mid-19th century.
1750-1790
Women's shoe, late eighteenth century, found concealed in the roof space of Old Mill at Murrays' Mills, Ancoats during the archaeological survey of the site.
Yarn twist tester made in Manchester. The 'rock Bank' single yarn twist tester, No 17 patent 32610. The fine Spinners and Doublers Association.
1880-1920
Yarn assorting balance.
Ink stamp holder and stamps.
1866-1887
Shuttle, with pirn, made by Hattersley and Sons Ltd, Keighley.
'Warwick' sewing machine made by Henry Wallwork and Co., Manchester. Treadle sewing machine.
1922
Beesley's yarn balance, made by Goodbrand & Co. Ltd. Patent number 196873.
Junior model upright vacuum cleaner, made by Hoover Ltd.
'The Gresham' sewing machine patented by Gresham and Craven, Manchester.
Commemorative handkerchief made for the Manchester Royal Jubilee Exhibition, 1887.
