Loading

Loom for weaving wavy fabrics

Jacques VaucansonCirca 1745

Musée des arts et métiers

Musée des arts et métiers
Paris, France

French mechanic Jacques Vaucanson, famous for his ingenious automatons, was appointed inspector-general of silk manufactories in 1741. A few years later he perfected Basile Bouchon and Jean-Baptiste Falcon's punch-card looms, which still depended heavily on human power. Vaucanson's machine was a breakthrough: it completely automated the process by reproducing the movements of the cord-puller and the weaver with moving parts. Cams drove the mechanics, driver pin and beater while an endless screw continuously wound the fabric to make excellent wavy fabrics. This innovative loom appeared too early in the history of technology to have any industrial applications.

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Loom for weaving wavy fabrics
  • Creator: Jacques Vaucanson
  • Date: Circa 1745
  • Date Created: Circa 1745
  • Location: France
  • Provenance: Musée des arts et métiers
  • Subject Keywords: Textiles / Calcul mécanique / Calcul informatique
  • Contributor: Author: Lionel Dufaux
  • Credits: © Musée des arts et métiers-Cnam/photo Sylvain Pelly
Musée des arts et métiers

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites