Cultural Histories and Theories: The United Kingdom Wool-Textile Industry, 1850-1904 - Term Paper Example

Running Head: Cultural Histories & Theories Cultural Histories & Theories of the of the Cultural Histories & Theories In 1907, coal, iron and steel, engineering, shipbuilding and textiles still accounted for nearly half the net industrial output and 70 per cent οf all exports. By the Census οf Production in 1907 there had been a great progress οf steam-powered mechanization in industries, especially, an immense deepening οf using in coal, iron/steel and shipbuilding industries. Water and wind power οf the traditional kind, was now οf little significance, though new-style hydraulic and pneumatic machines were being increasingly developed. Moreover, the power οf gas and oil engines and electric generators was being added to that οf steam and many goods were being mass-produced. (Musson, 159) Britain, the centre οf a world-wide empire, the greatest free-trade market, drawing on the whole globe for foodstuffs and raw materials and still also the largest exporter οf manufactures, was the hub οf world sea-borne trade: in the period before 1913 about 40 per cent οf that trade was with the UK, and over half οf it was carried in British ship. Thus British shipyards had huge home and overseas markets. Expansion οf production and trade was accompanied by changing industrial organization. Though many combined firms existed, were generally much bigger than woollen mills. The traditional small West Riding clothiers and the associated cloth-halls were declining, with the development οf larger-scale factory and mercantile organization and more direct trading relationships, though small firms and mills still abounded. However, the real problem, in fact, was that οf developing new industries alongside the old, while the latter still continued to grow profitably. It appears, however, that there were plenty οf savings and capital resources that might have been used for new industrial developments. British overseas investments or capital exports continued to grow prodigiously. Cotton is still the biggest manufacture in textile industry. (Sykas 2007) In the 1907 Census οf Production, the labour force in spinning and weaving factories increased from 331000 in 1850 to 577000 in 1907, while production and trade rose much more, as indicated by the figures οf raw cotton consumption and exports. Mechanization was carried further, not only with more mules, spindles and power-looms but larger, faster-running and more efficient machines, driven by more powerful and economical steam-engines. Fixed capital therefore grew more rapidly than the number οf worker, and productivity increased, especially in the first half οf this period. Nevertheless, small and middling firms still abounded, alongside the large concerns. Before the mid-nineteenth century, mechanized factory production had made considerably slower progress in woollen and worsted manufactures than in cotton. During the later nineteenth century, however, with more rapid introduction οf power-driven machinery, these manufactures probably grew even faster than cotton. (D, W, Crossley, 122) The United Kingdom Wool-Textile Industry, 1850-1904 At the same time, growing quantities οf raw wool were imported, especially from Australia. By such cost-reducing innovations, the industry not only catered for a growing home market, with rising population and income, but also rapidly expanded exports. This rapid growth in the later οf the century, however, contrasts with retardation-even decline in some respects-from 1870s to 1900s ( see table above ). This resulted mainly from the development οf foreign tariff-protected industries, which not only created greater difficulties for British exports but also led to increasing competition in the open home market. Decline was most marked in the number οf power-looms, particularly for worsteds, but this contrasted with a continued, though slower, rise in spindles. However, while worsteds, so that the combined total rose to 174.3 million yards in 1909-13, though this was still far below that οf the 1870s boom. (G, M, Holmes, 157) What is Textiles? Textiles is a term applied to natural and man-made fibres and filaments that may be spun into yarn or made into fabric by such processes as weaving and knitting or felting and bonding. (Boydell 2002) As a citizen οf the new millennium, you utilise a vast array οf textile items every day. So, to enable you to begin to understand the important role οf textiles in your daily life, you need to imagine a world without textiles: at the moment youd be sitting here naked. Textile items that you utilise every day include clothing, underarm, shoes, bags, bath towels, bed sheets and blankets. If you participate in sport, you possible need textile items such as protective padding, footballs, netballs and softball mitts. At home, textile items such as curtains, carpets, fabric cushion covers, cushions, tea towels, and oven mitts make everyday activities more comfortable, convenient and private. In our food classes we will use textile items such as tea towels, wash cloths, oven cloths and food covers. When textiles are utilised to manufacture items such as car seat belts and bicycle helmets, your ability to travel safely on the roads is improved considerably. These are just a few examples οf the items manufactured using textile resources, materials and products. Textiles are an integral part οf our lives - in Food and Fibre you will have an introduction to basic fibres, fabrics and skills. This knowledge will help you become a wise textiles consumer and have some basic skills you may require all through your life. A world without textiles Without textiles, your lifestyle would be very different. Thankfully, the curiosity and creativity οf our ancestors has resulted in advancements in technology that has included textiles! Consider this scenario οf a mid-winter school day without having the protection, comfort and convenience provided by textile items; - Bleary eyed after tossing and turning all night, you get up in the morning. - Your body hurts because the floor was hard. There is no mattress to lie on or pillow to support your head. - You are cold because you dont have any pyjamas, sheets, blankets or quilts to keep you warm. - Carpet would have helped to make you a little warmer and the floor softer - but there is no carpet or even a rug on the floor. At least you dont have to make your bed! - You decide not to have a shower as the morning is too cold to remain wet. You dont have a towel to dry yourself or a bathrobe to out on. - Getting ready for school does not take long, as you dont have to spend time putting on underwear or articles οf clothing or socks and shoes! - Fortunately, privacy has never been an issue - you dont have curtains or blinds on the windows either! - With so little to do in the morning, you have plenty οf time to walk or jog to school. Dont even think about being driven to school - many vehicle components and accessories are textile items. - Carrying your school lunch and books could be a problem without a school bag, and your pens and pencils will need to be put in a wooden box or tin. - At school you have become accustomed to sitting on cold, hard floors and chairs as there are no cushions or fabric to soften and warm the surfaces. None οf the problems REALLY bother you, as you have never experienced anything different. Or have you? Beyond the home The daily use οf textile items is not limited to routines and activities which occur at home. This will enable you to understand the diversity οf textiles. List οf the essential textile items that would be used whilst participating in the following activities. Hot air ballooning; The balloon Playing Basketball; Uniforms Motor racing; Inside οf helmet Bush walking; Socks Backpack Horse Riding; Inside οf helmet Tack (saddle etc.) Fire fighting; Uniforms Sky diving; Uniforms Parachute Swimming; Towel Bathers Yachting; Sail Camping; Sleeping bags Tent Identifying textiles Items made from fibres, yarns or fabrics (or a combination οf these) are called Textiles items. Textiles items are frequently utilized during your daily routines and activities at home. 1. Clothes 2. Blanket 3. Pillowcase 4. Shoes 5. Pencil Case 6. Bag 7. Matrass 8. Doona Cover 9. Pyjamas 10. Seat cover 11. Socks 12. Towel 13. Face washer 14. Carpet 15. Underwear 16. Oven Mitts 17. Curtains 18. Wallet 19. Hair ribbon 20. Cushion 21. Dog Bed 22. Rug 23. Hat 24. Bean bag 25. Kettle cover 26. Bathers 27. Ironing board cover 28. Dog lead 29. Dog collar 30. Hair scrunchies References Boydell, C (2002) Textiles in the Modern home in disentangling Textiles IN Schoeser, M & Boydell, C (eds.) London: Middlesex University, pp 68-94. Crossley, D, W,. ( 1968 ). The wealth οf Britain. London, B. T. Batsford Ltd. Holmes, G, M,. ( 1976 ). Britain and America. Plymouth, Latimer Trend & Company Ltd. Musson, A. E. ( 1977 ). The Growth οf British Industry. London, B. T. Batsford Ltd. Sykas, P (2007) Abundant Images and Scant Text: reading textile pattern books in Hayward, M and Kramer, E. (eds.) Textiles and Test:re-establishing the Links between Archival and Object based Research Archetype Publications, London, pp23-27. Read More