Which innovation significantly changed the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution?

The power loom is recognized as a pivotal innovation in the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution because it dramatically increased the speed and efficiency of weaving cloth. Invented by Edmund Cartwright in the late 18th century, the power loom allowed for mechanized weaving, which replaced handlooms and enabled the mass production of textiles. This innovation utilized water power and, later on, steam power, significantly boosting productivity and reducing the labor costs associated with weaving.

The power loom also set the stage for the shift from cottage industries to factory-based production, transforming the economic landscape and leading to the rise of the factory system. By enabling large-scale textile manufacturing, it contributed to the industrial growth of cities and the establishment of textile mills, fundamentally altering the dynamics of the textile market and contributing to the overall expansion of the Industrial Revolution.