Historical information

MAKER - Reuben SUTCLIFFE Manchester
DESCRIPTION - Heavy cast iron frame, wood internal 'teasing' drums, revolved by gears, hand driven handle
OPERATION - Material feeds into drum teaser on revolving canvas conveyor belt

Reuben SUTCLIFFE of Manchester was an inventor active in the mid-19th century who focused on machinery for processing fibrous materials, including horsehair. In 1857, he applied for a patent for a machine designed to prepare fibrous materials such as horsehair for manufacturing purposes. The patent, numbered 2993 and dated December 22, 1857, describes a machine that effectively separates and teases horsehair fibres, making them suitable for use in various products like upholstery and brushes. This innovation contributed to the efficiency and quality of horsehair processing during that period. SUTCLIFFE's contributions are part of the broader history of textile machinery development in 19th-century Britain, which saw numerous advancements aimed at improving the processing of natural fibres.