Loom

A device that holds warp yarns under tension so weft yarns can be interlaced with them to make fabric.

Warp and weft: Warp yarns run lengthwise under tension; weft yarns cross them through the fabric. Their crossing is the basic structure every loom must produce.
Warping: The process of arranging yarns in parallel at the required length and order for weaving. A loom needs an organized warp before weaving can begin.
Backstrap loom: A portable loom whose warp tension is maintained by a strap around the weaver’s body. It exemplifies a simple hand-operated loom with direct bodily tension control.
Handloom: A loom operated primarily by a person rather than powered machinery. Handlooms support small-scale and craft weaving.
Industrial Revolution: A period of major economic and technological change beginning in Britain in the eighteenth century. Mechanized looms became central to the expansion of factory textile production.
Shedding: The separation of selected warp yarns to form an opening for passing weft. A loom creates this opening so each weft pass can interlace with warp.
Warp beam: A loom roller that stores the prepared warp and releases it during weaving. It supplies the tensioned warp to the weaving area.
Warp-weighted loom: An ancient loom that keeps vertical warp yarns taut with suspended weights. Its hanging weights show an early solution to maintaining warp tension.
Air-jet loom: A power loom that propels weft yarn across the shed with compressed air. It is one modern method for high-speed weft insertion.
Richard Arkwright: An English inventor and industrialist associated with the development of the water frame and factory system. His factories helped establish mechanized spinning and weaving as industrial production.

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