British Cotton Factory System (1780–1850)

1. Arkwright patents the water frame

   Jul 8, 1769Labels: Richard Arkwright, Water frame

   • Britannica
   • Wikisource DNB

2. Arkwright builds Cromford Mill complex

   Jan 1, 1771Labels: Cromford Mill, Richard Arkwright

   • Cromford Mills
   • Cromford Mill

3. Crompton completes the spinning mule

   Jan 1, 1779Labels: Samuel Crompton, Spinning mule

   • Britannica
   • Britannica Kids

4. Cartwright patents an early power loom

   Apr 1, 1785Labels: Edmund Cartwright, Power loom

   • Science Museum
   • Power Loom

5. Arkwright is knighted as cotton grows

   Jan 1, 1786Labels: Richard Arkwright, Knighthood

   • Britannica
   • Cromford Village

6. Steam powers a Manchester cotton mill

   May 1, 1790Labels: Manchester mill, Steam engine

   • Piccadilly Mill
   • Cotton Town

7. Luddite attacks target textile machinery

   Jan 1, 1812Labels: Luddites, Textile machinery

   • Britannica
   • UK Parliament

8. First child-labor limits for cotton mills

   Jul 1, 1819Labels: Cotton Mills, Child labor

   • Britannica
   • 1819 Act

9. Peterloo Massacre highlights industrial unrest

   Aug 16, 1819Labels: Peterloo Massacre, St Peter's

   • Britannica
   • Nat Archives

10. Manchester Guardian founded after Peterloo

    May 5, 1821Labels: Manchester Guardian, John Edward

    • Guardian Found
    • The Guardian

11. Factory Act creates inspectors and schooling rules

    Aug 29, 1833Labels: Factory Act, Factory inspectors

    • Nat Archives
    • Britannica

12. Factory Act limits women’s and youths’ hours

    Jun 1, 1844Labels: Factory Act, Working hours

    • Nat Archives
    • UK Parliament

13. Ten Hours Act reshapes the factory day

    Jun 8, 1847Labels: Ten Hours, Working day

    • Nat Archives
    • UK Parliament

14. Factory Act standardizes hours and strengthens enforcement

    Aug 1, 1850Labels: Factory Act, Factory day

    • UK Parliament
    • Britannica