Further Milestones

INVENTOR
Joshua Heilmann, France, 1796 - 1848

LOCATION OF MACHINE
N.Shlumberger et Cie, Guebwiller, France

PATENT APPLICATION
Combining Machine 1845

Starting from England, mechanised spinning conquered the rest of Europe. Spinning plants were established where ever running water was available.

Technical innovations were of advantage to the industries of different countries.

A special honour is deserving Joshua Heilmann who was born 19 February 1796 in Muhlhausen/Alsace. After brief training in a cotton spinning mill in Paris he found a cotton spinning mill in Alt-thann, which in 1818 already had 10 000 spindles. With his lively spirit of invention he built windmills for irrigation purposes, improved looms and in 1818 had the first embroidery machine built, this operate with twenty needles. For this invention he was made an knight of the legion of honour. Later he invented the temple of looms, a measuring and folding machine, and a double velvet loom.

From 1844 onwards, Joshua Heilman concentrated his attention on combing machines and he was soon carrying out successful combing trials on cotton samples. He passed on the task of further development to his eldest son and to the machine works founded in 1824 by Nicholas Shlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace.

Heilmann's combing machine made its way, and the principle has remained virtually unchanged to this day.