Silk has been used since prehistoric times. The raising of silkworms – sericulture – began in China about 2000 BC, and the secret was kept there until 200 AD when it passed the Japanese.
In 1708, William III prohibited the import of printed silks; this made calicos and silks more popular
Spanish silk was imported to Britain in Elizabethan times, and the fabric was produced by Flemish and French weavers, many working in London and Kent. Later, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire had an important silk industry. It arrived in Yorkshire with a silk mill at Sheffield in 1760.
The busiest period for the silk trade was around 1880. The Manningham Mills at Bradford were the largest silk mill in Yorkshire.
To help the English industry, the import of French silk was banned in 1698, and that of Indian and Chinese silk in 1701.
Water power was exploited in the silk industry before being introduced to the production of cotton in the early 18th century.
After its introduction by Robert Newton and James Burrow in 1843, silk-spinning became a major employment in Brighouse. By 1870, there were 7 silk businesses in the town.
There was a major decline and consequent unemployment at the beginning of the 20th century.
The pure silk was boiled – to remove the gum of the cocoon – washed and dried, and then wound. This was done by hand until the process was mechanised in the 19th century when machines for silk-combing [1859] and silk-dressing [1877] were introduced.
In order to produce a yarn, the single silk filaments were thrown – that is, twisted.
The production of artificial silk was introduced to Halifax around 1928
Page Ref: MMS122
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