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Marshalls Flax Mill, Leeds, Yorkshire 1843
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Marshalls Flax Mill, Leeds, Yorkshire 1843
Drawing heckled flax at Marshalls Flax Mill, Leeds. Female workers operate machines to create an even strip from the flax fibres that have previously been heckled,
1843
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Media ID 23150778
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1840s 1843 Females Flax Leeds Machinery Machines Marshall Marshalls Mill Spinning
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This evocative drawing depicts the interior of Marshalls Flax Mill in Leeds, Yorkshire, during the 1840s. The image captures a moment in the flax processing process, specifically the stage where female workers, dressed in traditional clothing of the era, are meticulously heckling flax fibers. Heckling was a labor-intensive process that involved breaking up the woody stalks of the flax plant and separating the soft fibers from the waste. The women in the drawing operate machines designed to create an even strip from the flax fibers, which would then be used in the spinning process to produce linen fabric. The machines, a testament to the industrial revolution, dominate the scene, their gears and cogs turning in perfect harmony. The drawing provides a fascinating glimpse into the working conditions of the time, with the women working in close quarters, their faces focused intently on their tasks. The dimly lit room, filled with the sounds of machinery and the rhythmic clatter of the workers, creates an atmosphere of industry and determination. Marshalls Flax Mill, which opened in 1837, was one of the first factories in the world to be powered entirely by water from a single source, the River Aire. It was a pioneering establishment that revolutionized the flax industry, making it more efficient and profitable. The mill closed in 1922, but its legacy lives on as a symbol of the industrial revolution and the important role women played in the textile industry during the 19th century.
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