Great wheel.

Welsh farm spindle wheel (Great Wheel). The spindle is the earliest type of spinning wheel. There is no flyer and spinning is carried out in two separate movements of (i) twisting and attenuation, where the fibres become attenuated under tension and formed into yarn by the twist given by the rotating spindle and the yarn slipping off the top of the spindle. The thread nearly in line with the spindle gives a loose twist and an angle nearer to a right angle gives a tight thread. (ii) Winding on when the thread is wound on to the spindle so that twisting of a new piece of rolag can commence. It is believed that the spindle wheel was introduced to Britain in the 14th century. It has many alternative regional names, Jersey Wheel (Channel Islands), Muckle Wheel (Scotland), Long Wheel (Ireland), Walking Wheel (United States). This simple wheel is an advance upon the pendant spindle which is believed to have originated in India. Its mechanical machine equivalent is the wool spinning mule which also spins intermittently.

Collection

Science Museum

Inventory Number

3202164

Title

Great wheel.

Object Type

PhysicalObject

Measurements

- overall: 1.31 x 1.35 x .36 m