Sir Richard Arkwright is generally considered the inventor of the first automated process for spinning cotton yarn. He began with the construction of a machine that used rollers to separate the individual fibers, allowing for the spinning of sturdier yarn; this enabled weavers to construct cloth that was, for the first time, entirely made of cotton. Arkwright was born in Lancashire, England, in 1732. As a boy he was apprenticed to a Preston barber, and at the age of 18 he opened his own shop. After several years of mild prosperity he decided to abandon his business, choosing instead to travel the country to purchase human hair for the construction of wigs. Although he had developed a secret formula for dyeing hair, the demand for wigs gradually declined, and Arkwright was forced to change professions once again. During his travels, Arkwright had come in frequent contact with weavers and spinners...