Arrange the following inventions in the field of cotton industry in chronological order (starting with the earliest) : 1. James Hargreaves’s Spinning Jenny 2. John Kay’s Flying Shuttle 3. Samuel Crompton’s Mule 4. Richard Arkwright’s Water Frame Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The chronological sequence of these textile inventions is as follows: First, John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle in 1733, which significantly increased weaving speed [1]. Second, James Hargreaves developed the Spinning Jenny in 1764, allowing a single worker to spin multiple threads simultaneously [2]. Third, Richard Arkwright patented the Water Frame in 1769, which utilized water power to produce stronger yarn [1]. Finally, Samuel Crompton invented the Spinning Mule in 1779, a hybrid machine that combined the features of the Spinning Jenny and the Water Frame to produce finer and stronger thread. This progression from manual weaving improvements to water-powered spinning and eventually hybrid machinery reflects the rapid technological evolution of the British cotton industry during the 18th century. Therefore, the correct order is 2, 1, 4, 3.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: The Age of Revolutions > Important Inventions during Industrial Revolution > p. 168
2. [2] India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > New words > p. 87