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Difficulty: HardThe Industrial Revolution

In 1764, a significant technological advancement was made in the production of cloth that allowed a single operator to work with several spindles at once. Which individual is credited with inventing this device, which was compact enough to be used in the traditional 'cottage industry' before production moved into large-scale factories?

  1. James HargreavesAnswer
  2. B
    John Kay
  3. C
    Edmund Cartwright
  4. D
    Samuel Crompton

Answer

James Hargreaves
James Hargreaves is the correct answer because he developed the Spinning Jenny in 1764. This machine was a critical early step in the Industrial Revolution as it allowed one worker to operate eight or more spindles at the same time, significantly increasing thread production while still being small and portable enough to be used in domestic settings (cottage industry).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the specific technical breakthrough requested.
The machine allowed a single operator to work with multiple spindles simultaneously.
This identifies the invention as the Spinning Jenny, which was a core innovation in early cloth manufacturing.
2
Evaluate the setting and power requirements.
The device had to be suitable for 'cottage industry' (home-based) use.
This distinguishes the hand-powered Spinning Jenny from larger, water-powered machines like the Water Frame that required a factory setting.
3
Match the invention to the correct historical figure.
James Hargreaves is the inventor of the Spinning Jenny.
Accurate historical recall of 18th-century innovators is required for the Life in the UK test.

Key Concept

The transition from cottage industry to mechanized factory production through specific textile innovations.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

The Industrial Revolution

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