How Derbyshire Changed the World: Factories of the Derwent Valley
A brief history of how the mills of Derbyshire's Derwent Valley established the world's first modern factory system.
Mr Taylor's Silk Mill, Derby (1800/1850) by Daniel and Samuel LysonsDerbyshire Record Office
Derby Silk Mill Started It All
Derby Silk Mill was established in 1719 by brothers, John and Thomas Lombe, after they stole silk spinning technology from Italy. The site located next to the River Derwent was perfect for power and transportation. Richard Arkwright used this idea for his mill 50 years later.
Richard Arkwright's Big Idea
Richard Arkwright patented his spinning frame, known as the 'water frame' in 1769. The machinery was used to produce cotton thread on an industrial scale. These frames were used in his mill at Cromford on the River Derwent, which was built in 1770.
Richard Arkwright's Mill at Cromford (1787) by Derbyshire Archaeological SocietyDerbyshire Record Office
Cromford Mill
Arkwright's mill at Cromford used water power from Bonsall Brook and Cromford Sough. The Cromford Canal was also built to move goods to and from the mill. People from all over the country came to work at the mills because they offered steady employment.
Quarterly forfeits book (1807) by W G and J Strutt LtdDerbyshire Record Office
Wage Forfeits
With thousands of employees flocking to the new mills, rules were put in place to ensure employees were trustworthy and hardworking. If the rules were broken, then wages could be docked for misdemeanours, such as talking instead of working.
Plan of the Flowerpot Construction used at Strutts' Mills (1913-02-25) by Herbert Strutt Esq.Derbyshire Record Office
Belper and Milford Mills
In 1776, Richard Arkwright's business partner, Jedediah Strutt, established a cotton mill at nearby Belper. Strutt built another mill along the river at Milford to meet demand. After a fire in 1802, Belper mill was rebuilt. It was the world's first fireproof building.
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Darley Abbey Mills
The Evans family, who had connections to both Arkwright and Strutt, built another cotton mill at Darley Abbey on the outskirts of Derby in 1782. The systems used here were similar to those used further up the Derwent Valley at Cromford and Belper.
Mill workers at W G & J Strutt of Belper (1870/1890) by Corliss of Long EatonDerbyshire Record Office
Mill Workers
Working in the mills was hard. Workers often worked long shifts for little pay and in dangerous conditions with little health and safety. Children also made up a large part of the workforce. Over time, laws were brought in to protect workers, including reducing children's hours.
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Mill Workers' Housing
All the mills in the Derwent Valley offered housing to the families who came to work for them. The world's first workers' housing was built between 1776 and 1777 in Cromford. Arkwright also provided a church, schools, shops and public houses for his workers.
Doubling Machinery at Masson Mill (1950/1959) by English Cotton Sewing Company LimitedDerbyshire Record Office
Derbyshire Changed Industry Forever
The Arkwright, Strutt and Evans mills are now a world heritage site. The new ways of mass manufacture begun in the Derwent Valley spread across the world, giving rise to the Industrial Revolution.
