Silk throwing
Encyclopedia
Silk throwing is the industrial process where silk
that has been reeled into skeins, is cleaned, receives a twist and is wound onto bobbins. The yarn is now twisted together with threads, in a process known as doubling. Colloquially silk throwing can be used to refer to the whole process: reeling, throwing and doubling.. Silk had to be thrown to make it strong enough to be used as organizine for the warp in a loom, or tram´ for weft.
in the tenth century, and in 1474 there were 15,000 employed in the industry in Milan. There is an illustration of a circular handpowered throwing machine drawn in 1487 with 32 spindles. It was hand powered. The Italians called the throwing machine, a filatoio, and the doubler, a torcitoio. The first evidence of a externally powered filatoio comes from the thirteenth century, and the earliest illustration from around 1500. Bologna
became the most technological advanced silk throwing town, with filatoio driven by overhead shafts that were powered by water.
In 1704, Thomas Cotchett set up a waterpowered silk throwing mill to produce organizine in Derby. It failed due to the use of the wrong type of machinery. In 1717, John Lombe, visited Piedmont
and returned to England with details of the Italian machines, and some Italian craftsmen. He was granted a fourteen-year patent, and built Lombe's Mill
in Derby. The King of Sardinia retaliated by prohibiting the export of raw silk. Nevertheless, in 1732 John Guardivaglio set up a silk throwing enterprise at Logwood mill in Stockport
, and in 1744, Burton Mill was erected in Macclesfield
and in 1753 Old Mill was built in Congleton
. These three towns remained the centre of the English Silk Throwing Industry.
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
that has been reeled into skeins, is cleaned, receives a twist and is wound onto bobbins. The yarn is now twisted together with threads, in a process known as doubling. Colloquially silk throwing can be used to refer to the whole process: reeling, throwing and doubling.. Silk had to be thrown to make it strong enough to be used as organizine for the warp in a loom, or tram´ for weft.
History
Silk weaving is known to have been carried out in SicilySicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
in the tenth century, and in 1474 there were 15,000 employed in the industry in Milan. There is an illustration of a circular handpowered throwing machine drawn in 1487 with 32 spindles. It was hand powered. The Italians called the throwing machine, a filatoio, and the doubler, a torcitoio. The first evidence of a externally powered filatoio comes from the thirteenth century, and the earliest illustration from around 1500. Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
became the most technological advanced silk throwing town, with filatoio driven by overhead shafts that were powered by water.
In 1704, Thomas Cotchett set up a waterpowered silk throwing mill to produce organizine in Derby. It failed due to the use of the wrong type of machinery. In 1717, John Lombe, visited Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
and returned to England with details of the Italian machines, and some Italian craftsmen. He was granted a fourteen-year patent, and built Lombe's Mill
Lombe's Mill
Lombe's Mill England was the first successful silk throwing mill in England. It was built in an island on the River Derwent in Derby. It was built after John Lombe visited Piedmont in 1717, and returned to England with details of the Italian silk throwing machines- the filatoio, and the torcitoio.,...
in Derby. The King of Sardinia retaliated by prohibiting the export of raw silk. Nevertheless, in 1732 John Guardivaglio set up a silk throwing enterprise at Logwood mill in Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
, and in 1744, Burton Mill was erected in Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
and in 1753 Old Mill was built in Congleton
Congleton
Congleton is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, on the banks of the River Dane, to the west of the Macclesfield Canal and 21 miles south of Manchester. It has a population of 25,750.-History:The first settlements in...
. These three towns remained the centre of the English Silk Throwing Industry.