how did slater and lowell contribute to industry in the united states?
http://inventors.about.com/od/indrevolution/a/history_textile.htm
Samuel Slater and Francis Cabot Lowell were both prominent figures in the early industrialization of the United States. They played crucial roles in the development of the textile industry, which had a profound impact on the country's economic growth.
Here's how Slater and Lowell contributed to the industry:
1. Samuel Slater:
- Background: Slater was a British-American industrialist known as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution."
- How to contribute: To understand Slater's contribution, you can follow these steps:
a. In the late 18th century, Slater memorized the intricate designs and workings of textile machinery while working in the British textile industry.
b. In 1789, Slater migrated to the United States and partnered with Moses Brown, a wealthy merchant.
c. In 1793, Slater built the first cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, using the designs he had memorized. This became the first successful water-powered textile mill in the United States.
d. Slater's mill used Arkwright's spinning frame, which significantly increased productivity and efficiency, marking the birth of the American textile industry.
e. This success led to the rapid growth of textile mills, establishing New England as the first manufacturing center in the United States.
2. Francis Cabot Lowell:
- Background: Lowell was an American businessman and textile manufacturer.
- How to contribute: To understand Lowell's contribution, you can follow these steps:
a. In the early 19th century, Lowell toured British textile mills and observed their machinery and processes.
b. Upon his return to the United States, Lowell partnered with others to form the Boston Manufacturing Company in 1813.
c. Lowell's company built a power loom based on the British design and successfully implemented the first integrated spinning and weaving factory in Waltham, Massachusetts.
d. They pioneered the concept of the "Lowell System," which brought together every stage of textile production under one roof.
e. This vertically integrated system allowed the company to have strict quality control, reduced production costs, and increased efficiency.
f. The success of the Waltham mill led to its replication in Lowell, Massachusetts, where it became the largest industrial complex in the United States and gave rise to the city of Lowell.
Overall, Samuel Slater and Francis Cabot Lowell played instrumental roles in bringing textile manufacturing to the United States. Their innovations and contributions transformed the United States from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse, laying the foundation for the future growth of the nation's economy.