The spinning mule is a machine used to spin cotton and other fibres in the mills of Lancashire and elsewhere. They were used extensively from the late 18th to the early 20th century. Mules were worked in pairs by a minder, with the help of two boys: the little piecer and the big or side piecer. The carriage carried up to 1,320 spindles and could be 150 feet (46m) long, and would move forward and back a distance of 5 feet (1.5m) four times a minute.
It was invented between 1775 and 1779 by Samuel Crompton. The self-acting (automatic) mule was patented by Richard Roberts in 1825. At its peak there were 50,000,000 mule spindles in Lancashire alone. Modern versions are still in niche production and are used to spin woollen yarns from noble fibres such as cashmere, ultra-fine merino and alpaca for the knitware market.
The spinning mule spins textile fibres into yarn by an intermittent process. In the draw stroke, the roving is pulled through rollers and twisted; on the return it is wrapped onto the spindle. Its rival, the throstle frame or ring frame uses a continuous process, where the roving is drawn, twisted and wrapped in one action. The mule was the most common spinning machine from 1790 until about 1900 and was still used for fine yarns until the early 1980s. In 1890, a typical cotton mill would have over 60 mules, each with 1,320 spindles, which would operate four times a minute for 56 hours a week.
Spinning Mule Demonstration at Leeds Industrial Museum
A short film demonstrating the working Spinning Mule on display and in action at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.
This film features Visitor Assistant Barrie operating the machinery as it would have been used on site, at what was once the world's largest woolen mill.
published: 21 May 2019
Spinning mule
Filmed in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. The spinning mule was invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779, but this is a later, self-acting version.
published: 20 Oct 2011
spinning mule
spinning wool yarn at Bartlettyarns on our mule
published: 28 Nov 2008
Spinning mule presentation [+ eng sub]
Spinning mule by Crompton Samuel
(Désolé en avance pour vos oreilles - Sorry in advance for your ears)
published: 16 Mar 2021
Spinning mule in action
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum
published: 08 May 2012
Monticello Spinning Jenny Operation
published: 19 Aug 2021
Bigagli Made in Italy Self acting spinning mule "B7 Double Drive" working process
Spinning steps on a Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model. The process is used today across the world to produce fine and extra fine high quality yarns from specialty fibers such as wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, angora, merino and so on...
The Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model is available with a high degree of automation and a centralized computer that controls all the machine functions, including the carriages movement, the feed carriage speed, the adjustment of yarn feed speed and drafting percentages, the reverse speed, the spooling speed, the cops formation, the alarms operating data recording and the production setting data modification history.
published: 20 Nov 2013
When was the spinning mule invented?
Discover the incredible history behind the invention of the spinning mule! In this video, we explore the story of Samuel Crompton and his revolutionary creation that transformed the textile industry forever. From its unique combination of spinning jenny and water frame features to its ability to spin hundreds of spindles at once, the spinning mule was a game-changer that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of textile innovation and uncover the secrets of this incredible invention!
published: 05 Jun 2023
Mule Jenny - Spinning Mule | Kinect Application | by DIM & RealVisuals - Howest DAE | 2017
The Kinect Application of a Spinning Mule, In Flanders referred to as 'Mule Jenny', was realized during the Flemish heritage project "Duiken in de Machine". 3D scanning and polygonal modeling of the machine was done by RealVisuals. The Kinect application was created and finalized by student Sanita Remant and employees of "Howest Digital Arts & Entertainment". The Mule Jenny belongs to the collection of the Ghentish Museum about Industry, Labour and Textile (MIAT). MIAT was case study applicant, and supporting partner during the project.
A short film demonstrating the working Spinning Mule on display and in action at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.
This film features Visitor Assistant...
A short film demonstrating the working Spinning Mule on display and in action at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.
This film features Visitor Assistant Barrie operating the machinery as it would have been used on site, at what was once the world's largest woolen mill.
A short film demonstrating the working Spinning Mule on display and in action at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.
This film features Visitor Assistant Barrie operating the machinery as it would have been used on site, at what was once the world's largest woolen mill.
Filmed in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. The spinning mule was invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779, but this is a later, self-acting version.
Filmed in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. The spinning mule was invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779, but this is a later, self-acting version.
Filmed in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. The spinning mule was invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779, but this is a later, self-acting version.
Spinning steps on a Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model. The process is used today across the world to produce fine and extra fine high quality yar...
Spinning steps on a Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model. The process is used today across the world to produce fine and extra fine high quality yarns from specialty fibers such as wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, angora, merino and so on...
The Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model is available with a high degree of automation and a centralized computer that controls all the machine functions, including the carriages movement, the feed carriage speed, the adjustment of yarn feed speed and drafting percentages, the reverse speed, the spooling speed, the cops formation, the alarms operating data recording and the production setting data modification history.
Spinning steps on a Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model. The process is used today across the world to produce fine and extra fine high quality yarns from specialty fibers such as wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, angora, merino and so on...
The Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model is available with a high degree of automation and a centralized computer that controls all the machine functions, including the carriages movement, the feed carriage speed, the adjustment of yarn feed speed and drafting percentages, the reverse speed, the spooling speed, the cops formation, the alarms operating data recording and the production setting data modification history.
Discover the incredible history behind the invention of the spinning mule! In this video, we explore the story of Samuel Crompton and his revolutionary creation...
Discover the incredible history behind the invention of the spinning mule! In this video, we explore the story of Samuel Crompton and his revolutionary creation that transformed the textile industry forever. From its unique combination of spinning jenny and water frame features to its ability to spin hundreds of spindles at once, the spinning mule was a game-changer that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of textile innovation and uncover the secrets of this incredible invention!
Discover the incredible history behind the invention of the spinning mule! In this video, we explore the story of Samuel Crompton and his revolutionary creation that transformed the textile industry forever. From its unique combination of spinning jenny and water frame features to its ability to spin hundreds of spindles at once, the spinning mule was a game-changer that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of textile innovation and uncover the secrets of this incredible invention!
The Kinect Application of a Spinning Mule, In Flanders referred to as 'Mule Jenny', was realized during the Flemish heritage project "Duiken in de Machine". 3D ...
The Kinect Application of a Spinning Mule, In Flanders referred to as 'Mule Jenny', was realized during the Flemish heritage project "Duiken in de Machine". 3D scanning and polygonal modeling of the machine was done by RealVisuals. The Kinect application was created and finalized by student Sanita Remant and employees of "Howest Digital Arts & Entertainment". The Mule Jenny belongs to the collection of the Ghentish Museum about Industry, Labour and Textile (MIAT). MIAT was case study applicant, and supporting partner during the project.
The Kinect Application of a Spinning Mule, In Flanders referred to as 'Mule Jenny', was realized during the Flemish heritage project "Duiken in de Machine". 3D scanning and polygonal modeling of the machine was done by RealVisuals. The Kinect application was created and finalized by student Sanita Remant and employees of "Howest Digital Arts & Entertainment". The Mule Jenny belongs to the collection of the Ghentish Museum about Industry, Labour and Textile (MIAT). MIAT was case study applicant, and supporting partner during the project.
A short film demonstrating the working Spinning Mule on display and in action at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.
This film features Visitor Assistant Barrie operating the machinery as it would have been used on site, at what was once the world's largest woolen mill.
Filmed in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. The spinning mule was invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779, but this is a later, self-acting version.
Spinning steps on a Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model. The process is used today across the world to produce fine and extra fine high quality yarns from specialty fibers such as wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, angora, merino and so on...
The Bigagli self-acting mule "B7 Double Drive" model is available with a high degree of automation and a centralized computer that controls all the machine functions, including the carriages movement, the feed carriage speed, the adjustment of yarn feed speed and drafting percentages, the reverse speed, the spooling speed, the cops formation, the alarms operating data recording and the production setting data modification history.
Discover the incredible history behind the invention of the spinning mule! In this video, we explore the story of Samuel Crompton and his revolutionary creation that transformed the textile industry forever. From its unique combination of spinning jenny and water frame features to its ability to spin hundreds of spindles at once, the spinning mule was a game-changer that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of textile innovation and uncover the secrets of this incredible invention!
The Kinect Application of a Spinning Mule, In Flanders referred to as 'Mule Jenny', was realized during the Flemish heritage project "Duiken in de Machine". 3D scanning and polygonal modeling of the machine was done by RealVisuals. The Kinect application was created and finalized by student Sanita Remant and employees of "Howest Digital Arts & Entertainment". The Mule Jenny belongs to the collection of the Ghentish Museum about Industry, Labour and Textile (MIAT). MIAT was case study applicant, and supporting partner during the project.
The spinning mule is a machine used to spin cotton and other fibres in the mills of Lancashire and elsewhere. They were used extensively from the late 18th to the early 20th century. Mules were worked in pairs by a minder, with the help of two boys: the little piecer and the big or side piecer. The carriage carried up to 1,320 spindles and could be 150 feet (46m) long, and would move forward and back a distance of 5 feet (1.5m) four times a minute.
It was invented between 1775 and 1779 by Samuel Crompton. The self-acting (automatic) mule was patented by Richard Roberts in 1825. At its peak there were 50,000,000 mule spindles in Lancashire alone. Modern versions are still in niche production and are used to spin woollen yarns from noble fibres such as cashmere, ultra-fine merino and alpaca for the knitware market.
The spinning mule spins textile fibres into yarn by an intermittent process. In the draw stroke, the roving is pulled through rollers and twisted; on the return it is wrapped onto the spindle. Its rival, the throstle frame or ring frame uses a continuous process, where the roving is drawn, twisted and wrapped in one action. The mule was the most common spinning machine from 1790 until about 1900 and was still used for fine yarns until the early 1980s. In 1890, a typical cotton mill would have over 60 mules, each with 1,320 spindles, which would operate four times a minute for 56 hours a week.