spinning jenny

American  

noun

1. an early spinning machine having more than one spindle, enabling a person to spin a number of yarns simultaneously.

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spinning jenny British  

noun

1. an early type of spinning frame with several spindles, invented by James Hargreaves in 1764

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Etymology

Origin of spinning jenny

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

While the spinning jenny was key to 18th century automation of the textiles industry, they found it led to longer working hours in harsher conditions.

From Reuters

There is a direct line of descent from the Strasbourg clock to the spinning jenny.

From Literature

These jeremiads attended the invention of computers, combine harvesters, spinning jennies and probably iron-age axes.

From The Guardian

In Mr Allen’s narrative, spinners’ wages, though very low by modern standards, were high enough to motivate the development and deployment of equipment like the spinning jenny.

From Economist

The large "spinning jennies" and Mule spinning machines were worked by men, as strength was needed to operate them.

From Time