Who is credited with inventing the spinning jenny?

The spinning jenny is credited to James Hargreaves, who invented this significant device in the 1760s. This multi-spindle spinning frame allowed a single worker to spin multiple spools of yarn simultaneously, greatly increasing the efficiency of textile production. Hargreaves' invention played a crucial role in the early stages of the Industrial Revolution by enabling a more rapid production of yarn, which was vital for the booming textile industry. The spinning jenny marked a pivotal development in mechanized textile manufacturing and set the stage for later innovations in the field.

Other figures, like Richard Arkwright, Samuel Crompton, and Edmund Cartwright, contributed to the advancement of textile machinery during this period, particularly with inventions such as the water frame and the power loom. However, Hargreaves is specifically credited with the invention of the spinning jenny, making his contribution distinctive and foundational to industrial advancements.