Editing Worsted (section)

==Automation==
Before the introduction of automatic machinery, there was little difficulty in attaining a straight fibre, as long wool was always used, and the sliver was made up by hand, using combs.  The introduction of [[Richard Arkwright]]'s [[water frame]] in 1771, and the later introduction of cap and mule spinning machines, required perfectly prepared slivers.<ref>{{EB1911 |last=Barker |first=Aldred Farrer |inline=y |wstitle=Wool, Worsted and Woollen Manufactures |volume=28|pages=805–816}}</ref> Many [[factory|manufactories]] used one or more preparatory combing machines (called ''gill-boxes'') before further processing, to ensure straight fibres and to distribute the [[lubricant]] evenly.