1838 Fairman's Patent Model of a Loom

Description:

Power Loom Patent Model

Patent No. 595, issued February 6, 1838

Elijah Fairman of Stafford, Connecticut

Fairman’s improvements, consisting of an additional cam and a set of treadles, were applied to power looms in common use. His improvements allowed the harnesses to operate more smoothly and the warp to open, enabling the shuttle to pass more easily. The end result was that the loom was better suited to weaving either light or heavy fabrics. Six pages and three illustrations in Clinton Gilroy’s 1844 book, The Art of Weaving, are spent in describing Fairman’s patent. Gilroy commented that Fairman’s loom would probably work fine for simple weaves, but for fancy patterned work, requiring 10 to 100 heddle frames, it would be totally impractical.

Model Constructed: before 1838-02-06Patent Date: 1838-02-06

Inventor: Fairman, Elijah

Location: Currently not on view

Associated Place: United States: Connecticut, Stafford

Classified: Patent ModelsInvention

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Textiles, Patent Models, Textile Machinery, Textiles, Patent Models

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Janssen, Barbara Suit. Patent Models Index

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: TE.T11411.095Accession Number: 89797Catalog Number: T11411.095Patent Number: 595

Object Name: loom patent modelObject Type: Patent Model

Physical Description: wood (overall material)metal (mechanisms material)

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-210a-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1070204

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.