1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class VI.: Joseph L. Davenport
80. DAVENPORT, JOSEPH L., Derby — Manufacturer.
Silk-throwing machinery, for the conversion of raw silk into threads, made at Derby, by Mr. William Abell.
Engine for winding and cleaning.
Mill for spinning or twisting one or more threads.
Frame for doubling or uniting on one bobbin two or more threads, either before or after the process of spinning.
Machine for reeling the thrown thread into skeins.
"Dramming" apparatus, for ascertaining the relative thickness of the silken threads.
[The history of the manufacture of silk in England has peculiar associations with the town of Derby. Until the commencement of the eighteenth century, England was dependent entirely upon Italy for thrown silk for the purposes of the weaver. Machinery made at that time in England failed to accomplish the manufacture satisfactorily. A Mr. Lombe went to Italy, succeeded by artifice in gaining admission to the mills, and gained an entire insight into the method of manufacture. Escaping at the hazard of his life, he returned to England; erected a large mill on the Derwent, near Derby, where the manufacture was shortly established, and soon attained great, prosperity. The machinery now employed for this purpose is of great ingenuity, and exhibits the peculiar characteristics of the mechanical workmanship of Great Britain.— R. E.]