1 la Mechanic Arts. [Chap. IX. 



introduction a \evj important era in the liistory of 

 Great Britain. 



^lachines for carding and spinning cotton were 

 introduced into several parts of the United States 

 during the last fifteen years of the century under 

 review. But, like most other enterprises in ma- 

 nufactures, undertaken in that country, they have 

 not been pursued either so extensively or so pro- 

 fitably as could be wished. 



In this connexion it will be proper to take some 

 notice of two American inventions for facili- 

 tating the making of cards for wool and cotton. 

 About sixteen or seventeen yeai's ago, a machine 

 Avas invented in ^lassachusetts, for cutting and 

 bendhig wire into a state completely prepared for 

 sticking cards*. Before this time the cards used 

 in i\\c. United States were imported from Europe. 

 Ever since a sufficient quantity has been manu- 

 factured in the country to supply its demands, 

 and, at a late period, for exportation to a conside- 

 rable, amount. In 1797, Mr. Amos Whittemore, 

 of Cambridge, in Massachusetts, invented a ma- 

 chine, which, by a simple operation, bends, cuts, 

 and sticks card teeth, by the aid of which a dozen 

 pair of cards can be furnished in less time than was 

 fbrmcily required to make a single pair|. 



- Two persons claimed t'lc invenlion of this niadiinc, viz. 

 Fooler nnd JM'Clinch. The latter had his maciiine first in use, 

 being more of a practical mechanic 5 but it was said that he had 

 priviitely obtained a sight of Foster's work, who lirst planned the 

 machiiK-.y. As it is not easy to ascertain the precise trutli of this 

 question, &o it is of no impcnlance to the public to which of llic^c 

 gentlemen the honour belongs. 



fin September, 1799, V/Uliam Whittemore and Co. commenced 

 the manufacture of carc\s \\ith this machine in Cambridge. I'here 



