I have a lot of disjointed thoughts on this topic. I tried to put them together into one coherent thought, but alas...
So here you are.
...
The oldest electric spinning wheel I have is from the 1920s. It's a beautiful jumbo motherofall and a 1-horse electric motor on what was probably once a lamp base someone improved to make this spinning wheel. A sewing machine belt connects the two together and it looks like someone took the on/off switch and attempted to hook up a foot controller (probably post 1960s) for variable speed control. It isn't a good match for the motor.
With a new motor and wiring that isn't going to set fire to the house if used too long, it would be a charming spinning wheel to use.
...
Humans age. Life is messy.
We live in a time when technology can compensate for this and improve our quality of life even when our body fails.
I love this.
...
I've spent a lot of my life talking about clothing and how it is one of - if not THE - major problems with our world today.
And yet, my goal was never to get everyone to have their own flock of sheep or cotton garden. My goal was to get people thinking about it. To have that thought in the back of their mind when choosing what to wear.
Mending a hole in a sock makes a massive difference in this world. Probably more than having one's own fibre flock. And knitting, weaving, spinning... these are revolutionary acts. Even if the materials aren't perfect, it's better to do the thing than wait for perfection.
...
I spent a lot of my working life in the spinning and weaving industry. I have seen things most people don't get to and am careful what I share because industry secrets.
There are a few makers that have been making spinning wheels and looms for around 100 years. Most of these are still family owned and run. There is a memory that is built from growing up in the industry. Grandparents, parents, they pass down understanding and knowledge to the kids. These kids grow up to be adults and somehow fall back into the family business with new ideas and old understanding. This is how these makers survive - old and new meld with each generation.
These values that grow from these memories shape the future and choices each generation makes.
...
A representative from Ashford Wheels and Looms once joked that "the biggest competition they have is their past products." And it's true. And what's even funnier is that Ashford still makes and sells spare parts for their main Traditional Wheel that are built after 1975. Not many industries still have that length of service. But it's common in the spinning wheel and loom industry.
And as technology improves, they try different materials. As plastics become more affordable, these makers experiment and see if they can do the job faster and cheaper than
wood or metal parts. (without giving away too many secrets, I've insight into what this testing looks like in different companies - it is impressive how much effort goes into this)
I've noticed that a lot of the younger companies say "yes. Plastic works great for us. We can get people spinning yarn at an affordable price and that's what matters to us."
I've noticed that the older companies say "no. Plastic is not yet at a place where it will endure for 20+ years of daily use for several hours a day." which is the minimum expected life of anything they make. Most of the older companies expect the tools made today to have a lifespan of 50-100 years at 8+ hours a day use.
...
When the older companies make their electric spinning wheels, they keep the plastic to a minimum and try to isolate that to parts that are easily replaceable by the user.
...
There is something amazing that happens to our brain when we create things and I truly believe that humans fulfill their potential as a species when we make things by hand. Keeping active in mind and body makes us healthier for longer.
...
It's all sliding scales.
If it gets you spinning and keeps you spinning, then that is exactly the tool that is right for you.
That's all that really matters in the end.
-B.png)
2
