<P> The demand for heavier fabric was met by a domestic industry based around Lancashire that produced fustian, a cloth with flax warp and cotton weft . Flax was used for the warp because wheel - spun cotton did not have sufficient strength, but the resulting blend was not as soft as 100% cotton and was more difficult to sew . </P> <P> On the eve of the Industrial Revolution, spinning and weaving were done in households, for domestic consumption and as a cottage industry under the putting - out system . Occasionally the work was done in the workshop of a master weaver . Under the putting - out system, home - based workers produced under contract to merchant sellers, who often supplied the raw materials . In the off season the women, typically farmers' wives, did the spinning and the men did the weaving . Using the spinning wheel, it took anywhere from four to eight spinners to supply one hand loom weaver . </P> <P> The flying shuttle, patented in 1733 by John Kay, with a number of subsequent improvements including an important one in 1747, doubled the output of a weaver, worsening the imbalance between spinning and weaving . It became widely used around Lancashire after 1760 when John's son, Robert, invented the drop box, which facilitated changing thread colors . </P> <P> Lewis Paul patented the roller spinning frame and the flyer - and - bobbin system for drawing wool to a more even thickness . The technology was developed with the help of John Wyatt of Birmingham . Paul and Wyatt opened a mill in Birmingham which used their new rolling machine powered by a donkey . In 1743 a factory opened in Northampton with 50 spindles on each of five of Paul and Wyatt's machines . This operated until about 1764 . A similar mill was built by Daniel Bourn in Leominster, but this burnt down . Both Lewis Paul and Daniel Bourn patented carding machines in 1748 . Based on two sets of rollers that travelled at different speeds, it was later used in the first cotton spinning mill . Lewis's invention was later developed and improved by Richard Arkwright in his water frame and Samuel Crompton in his spinning mule . </P>

Consequences of industrial revolution in the economic field