Talk:Drawloom

For most of early history it was considered adequate to produce woven fabrics which were useful and durable. However, as time passed and tastes developed with the increase in knowledge the desire was created for figure woven textiles. This made it essential that a shedding mechanism be introduced which could produce ornamental as well as seviceable textile fabrics.

The 'draw loom' represents the first real attempt at 'figure weaving'. This had its prehistoric origins in the East, and it is uncertain when it was introduced to the West.

Originally the working of a draw loom relied on the constant attention of two operatives, one of whom was the 'draw boy'. They raised the heddles, or their equivalent, in the requisite order of succession, by pulling cords connected to the various heddles in the order of succession as required by the tramping of the pattern, while the other operative performed the usual operation of the loom.

References: Bradbury, Fred (1912). Jacquard Mechanisms and Harness Mounting. John Heywood Ltd., Technical Book Depot, Halifax, Yorks. 81.140.70.204 (talk) 16:01, 20 June 2011 (UTC)