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The Factory
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Machines & processes
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Marketing
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Trade routes
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Indutrialisation
Click the Learning Journeys below to explore. Topics suitable for young learners are also indicated.
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The Factory
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Making cotton
 Suitable for young learners
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Selling cotton
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Trade routes
 Suitable for young learners
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Power
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Health & Safety
 Suitable for young learners
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Machines & processes
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Transforming raw cotton into finished cloth involved many separate processes. Each process gradually became mechanised by new inventions leading to greatly increased production and profit.
Click on the five stages of cotton production below to find out more.


Cultivation & harvesting - Image: 'Slaves picking cotton on a plantation' engraving by J.R. Barfoot, published 1835-40 Preparing raw cotton - Image: 'Lap-frame used for preparing raw cotton' engraving by J.R. Barfoot, published 1835-40 Spinning - Image: 'Mule Spinning' engraving by J.R. Barfoot, published 1835-40

Weaving - Image: 'Reeding or drawing-in the warp threads'engraving by J.R. Barfoot, published 1835-40 Finishing - Image: 'Printing the cloth'engraving by J.R. Barfoot, published 1835-40
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Image: Bobbins of cotton on a winding machine Image: The Mill Steam Engine at Queen Street Mill, Burnley
Image: a Cylinder Devil machine Image: a Cotton Gin machine
Image: Condenser mule used in the spinning process Image: Plans of machinery used in cotton spinning; the Mule Jenny
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