The textile industry in Britain was the first to be transformed by the Industrial Revolution.

Before industrialization, textiles were produced under the 'putting-out' or 'cottage' system, where work was done by hand in people's homes.

A series of key inventions in the 18th century mechanized the process of spinning and weaving.

John Kay's flying shuttle increased the speed of weaving.

James Hargreaves' spinning jenny and Richard Arkwright's water frame dramatically increased the production of yarn.

Samuel Crompton's spinning mule combined the features of the jenny and the water frame.

These new machines were too large and expensive for home use, which led to the creation of the first factories.

Early factories were built near rivers to use water wheels for power.

The massive increase in the production of cotton textiles became the driving force of the early British economy.

The textile industry served as the model for the factory system that would spread to other industries.