Paul, Lewis

died April 1759, Kensington, Middlesex, Eng.

British inventor.

Working with John Wyatt from about 1730, he developed the first power spinning machine (see drawing frame), which they patented in 1738. It operated by drawing cotton or wool through pairs of successively faster rollers. It was eventually replaced by Richard Arkwright's water frame. Paul also patented a carding machine in 1748.

* * *

▪ English inventor

died 1759, London, Eng.

      English inventor who devised the first power spinning machine, in cooperation with John Wyatt (Wyatt, John).

      Paul was the son of a Huguenot refugee, at whose death he became a ward of the Earl of Shaftesbury. He began working with Wyatt about 1730, and they patented their machine in 1738. The idea was evidently Paul's, and the skilled Wyatt translated it into working machinery. The spinning machine operated by drawing cotton or wool through pairs of successively faster rollers. This spinning machine was eventually superseded by Richard Arkwright's water frame. Paul also patented a carding machine in 1748.

* * *