John kay flying shuttle biography templates

John Kay (17 June 1704 – c. 1779) was the inventor of the flying shuttle, which was a key contribution to the Industrial Revolution. He is often confused with his namesake,who built the first "spinning frame".

Early life

John Kay was born on 17 June 1704 (in the Julian calendar) in the Lancashire hamlet of Walmersley,just north of Bury.

His yeoman farmer father, Robert, owned the "Park" estate in Walmersley, and John was born there.Robert died before John was born, leaving Park House to his eldest son. As Robert's fifth son (out of ten), John was bequeathed £40 (at age 21) and an education until the age of 14.His mother was responsible for educating him until she remarried.

Apprenticeship

He apprenticed with a hand-loom reed maker,but is said to have returned home within a month claiming to have mastered the business.He designed a metal substitute for the natural reed that proved popular enough for him to sell throughout England.After travelling the country, makin