Situated in the centre of Derby, right in the heart of England is what many believe to be the worlds first factory at least by modern standards. Dating from 1702 and 1717 respectively, the mills were designed for “doubling” or twisting silk into thread.
Previously, the work of spinning and weaving had been very much a correct industry with families working in small houses around the area processing small amounts per day. The advent of the factory changed this very rapidly and played a big part in what became known later as the “industrial revolution”.
The mills also used advanced technologies for their day including the undershot waterwheel which as the name suggests, took water from the River Derwent and ran it under the wheel to turn various crank shafts which via a series of gears would then turn the machines. Undershot wheels were later replaced by overshot water wheels as these proved much more efficient.
Today the remains of the 1717 mill forms part of Derby’s Museum of Industry and History which charts the rise from these first ever factories to the railways which played a very important part in Derby’s history, through to the aerospace industry with Derby based Rolls Royce.
Useful resources:
Derby Council Silk Mill web site
Wikipedia page on the Silk Mill
Other attractions in Derby
Hotels in Derby
