Industrial Revolution in the United States and in Tennessee By: Mrs. Jill Tanner

Industrial Revolution Invention Inventor: Samuel Slater Invention: Cotton Mill & Factory System

Biography of the Inventor: Samuel Slater Samuel Slater  June 9, 1768 – April 21, 1835 "Father of the American Industrial Revolution" "Father of the American Factory System" He was called "Slater the Traitor“ by the British because he brought British textile technology to America He learned textile machinery as an apprentice to a pioneer in the British industry. Immigrating illegally to the United States at the age of 21, he designed the first textile mills, and later went into business for himself, developing a family business with his sons. He developed the first successful water-powered roller spinning textile mill in America. Samuel's wife, Hannah (Wilkinson) Slater, invented a type of cotton sewing thread, and in 1793 was the first American woman to be granted a patent.

Invention Facts Why was it invented? Slater realized that American machinery for textiles was not going to work. He promised to build a machine that produced better yarn than England. What was its purpose? It was the first successful water- powered roller spinning textile mill in America. It helped produce large amounts of textiles, yarn, by using water power to spin yarn, cotton and other materials.

How did the invention impact the growth of plantations and slavery? Eli Whitney's cotton gin reduced the labor in processing cotton. It made cotton farming a money making business and expanded cotton cultivation in the Southern States. The New England mills and their free labor depended on southern cotton, which was based on slave labor. Slater would give houses, food, and schooling to families that worked for “free” in the mills.

How has this invention had an effect on our lives today? He started the Industrial Revolution in America creating a mill and developing management principals. After developing his water-powered mill, Slater instituted principles of management to teach workers to be skilled mechanics. He advertised to bring families to work in mills and train them to have a better living. He owned thirteen spinning mills, and had developed tenant farms and company towns around his textile mills, such as Slatersville, Rhode Island.