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Spinning Jenny

Definition

The Spinning Jenny is a multi-spindle spinning frame that was one of the key developments in the industrialization of weaving during the early Industrial Revolution.

Analogy

Think of the Spinning Jenny as a music band. Before, you had only one musician (the spinner) playing an instrument (spinning wheel). But with the introduction of the Spinning Jenny, it's like having multiple musicians playing at once, producing more music (yarn) in less time.

Related terms

Spindle: A slender rounded rod with tapered ends used in hand spinning to twist and wind thread from a mass of wool or flax held on a distaff.

Industrial Revolution: A period from 1750 to 1850 where changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions starting in Great Britain.

Textile Industry: Industries primarily concerned with design or manufacture of clothing as well as distribution and use of textiles.