Item 50: C Model Loom with a duplex harness, Draper Company

Printed in 1974 from glass plate negative no.A50. 1894-1900. Image depicts a view of a C-model loom with a duplex harness, photographed against a sheet, probably in an unknown mill. The battery is on the right-hand side, although there appears to be no box for the bobbins. The harness is the frame containing the heddles through which the warp threads are drawn prior to weaving. By lifting or lowering the harnesses in the loom the shed is formed. The shed is the opening formed when some warp threads are raised by their harnesses while others are left down. Forming the shed is the first action in weaving, and it is through the shed that the shuttle passes in inserting the filling. This loom contains two harnesses. The C model loom was Draper's first heavy pattern loom and was obsolete by 1900. The Draper Company manufactured textile machinery, primarily looms. 25 x 20.25 cm.