Technical innovations at the service of cheaper labour in pre-industrial Europe. The Enlightened agenda to transform the gender division of labour in silk manufacturing

Author

Sarasúa, Carmen

Publication date

2006

Abstract

In 1749, Jacques de Vaucanson patented his or tour pour tirer la soie or spindle for silk reeling. In that same year he presented his invention to the Academy of the Sciences in Paris, of which he was a member1. Jacques de Vaucanson was born in Grenoble, France, in 1709, and died in Paris in 1782. In 1741 he had been appointed inspector of silk manufactures by Louis XV. He set about reorganizing the silk industry in France, in considerable difficulty at the time due to foreign competition. Given Vaucanson's position, his invention was intended to replace the traditional Piémontes method, and had an immediate impact upon the silk industry in France and all over Europe.

Document Type

Working paper

Language

English

Subjects and keywords

Treball Història S. XVIII Europa

Publisher

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Unitat d'Història Econòmica

Related items

Departament d'Economia i d'Història Econòmica. Unitat d'Història Econòmica. Documents de treball ;

Rights

open access

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