Edmund Cartwright (18th Century)

Cartwright Cartwright was taught at University College, Oxford and became a clergyman of the Church of England. He invented the power loom, which reduced demand for skilled handweavers.

He designed his first power loom in 1784 and patented it in 1785, but it proved to be valueless. In 1789, he patented another loom which served as the model for later inventors to work upon. He also patented a wool combing machine in 1789 and a cordelier (machine for making rope) in 1792, as well as designing a steam engine that used alcohol instead of water.

Read more about Edmund Cartwright on Wikipedia.