John Lombe

John Lombe was a silk weaver and industrialist. He was born into a family of weavers in 1693 and, thus, has grew up in the textile industry as his family weaved silk and wool in Norwich, Norfolk.

John had an older brother Thomas, and as the younger brother he was destined to be an apprentice to his brother while Thomas was destined to inherit the family business. John showed that he had a talent for the industry and was able develop the machinery and techniques to help improve the business.

In 1722 John and Thomas created their own mill on the bank of the River Derwent next to Thomas Cotchett’s 1704 mill, with much of the success due to the hard work of John and some help by the renowned engineer George Sorocold. Their mill was possibly the first fully mechanized factory the world had known. The location was ideal because of the river’s fast flow and the nearby London to Carlisle road.

However, the knowledge recquiered to build a mill was obtained by John through espionage. He was sent to Italy where he found employment at an Italian shop where they used a silk-throwing machine. John carefully worked at night to make diagrams of the machinery and learn about the Piedmontese processes. His mission was successful and he returned to England in 1716 with plans of the machinery.

After their mill was completed in 1722, John died that same year under mysterious circumstances. The common legend states that he was poisoned by an Italian woman assassin by a slow poison. The legend also states that the assassin was sent by the King of Sardinia. Thomas went on to achieve status and wealth with the finished mill and even received a knighthood.