Renaissance · Europe · Technology

1589

William Lee Invents the Stocking Frame

1589

A Nottinghamshire clergyman named William Lee built a mechanical knitting frame that could produce woollen stockings ten times faster than hand knitters. Elizabeth refused him a patent, fearing it would put knitters out of work. Lee moved to France, and his machine would shape the Midlands hosiery industry for centuries.

More from 1589 Renaissance

In context

Also in 1589 (5 other events on record)

Henry III Assassinated · Europe · Politics
Henry of Navarre Becomes Henry IV · Europe · Politics
Three Henrys Die · Europe · Politics
Galileo Appointed at Pisa · Europe · Science
Drake and Norris Attack Lisbon · Europe · War

Before and after in Europe

Before: 1588: Rome's Obelisk Raised
After: 1590: Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg

Before and after in Technology

Before: 1571: Royal Exchange Opens in London
After: October 1608: Lippershey Applies for Telescope Patent

Era

Renaissance (1501–1650), one of 715 events from that era on Saeculum.

Sources

Wikipedia: Stocking frame