ARKWRIGHT, Richard
(b. 1732, Preston, d. 1792, Cromford)

Cotton mill

1785
Photo
Mill Road, Cromford, Derbyshire

From 1771, Arkwright constructed in Cromford his first factories powered by steam engines, invented by James Watt in 1764. They are simple structures with numerous windows, having blind walls at ground level as a protection against anti-machinery riots.