Weaving in Erie County in the Nineteenth Century Part II

Abstract

This is the second part of an article focusing on one hundred years of weaving in Erie County and should not be interpreted as the complete story.* The time between 1795 and 1840 witnessed the transformation from a home enterprise conducted out of necessity to a steam powered industry. The first article included a description of the technological developments in weaving that enabled mass production of woolen goods. The mid nineteenth century witnessed a vast array of new technological advances including the introduction of steam power which freed mill owners from the seasonal fluctuations previously endured and enabled them to take advantage of the heat for the cleaning, dyeing and fulling processes.