Sir Thomas Lombe (1685-1739) and the British Silk Industry
W. H. Chaloner considers how the Lombes “penetrated the secrets” of the closely guarded silk-throwing machines of Piedmont, and successfully introduced them into England
As we have but one Water Engine for throwing Silk in the Kingdom, if that should be destroyed by Fire, or any other Accident, it would make the Continuance of throwing fine Silk among us very precarious; and it is very much to be doubted, whether all the Men now living in the Kingdom could make such another; and as we have commodious Rivers for that Purpose, whose Streams hold all the Year, and run thorough large Towns where scarcely any Manufactures are carried on, I am humbly of Opinion it would be matter of the greatest Consequence to our Silk Manufacture, to have three or four more erected, according to the Model of that at Derby (though at the publick Charge), which would give some Hopes of keeping that Manufacture among us for ever.
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