Richard Roberts built everything from steam locomotives to billiard tables, but his inventive talent was not matched by financial reward, and he died penniless.
Image: Science Museum/SSPL
Richard Roberts
Richard Roberts (1789-1864) was a Welsh shoemaker's son. Having taught himself many practical skills he found he was drawn to London and Henry Maudslay's works in 1814.
Two years in London prepared Roberts for a career in Manchester. Surrounded by this thriving industrial city, Roberts built the first modern industrial lathe, which can be seen in our 'Making the Modern World' gallery, and his self-acting mule was the first completely automated cotton-spinning machine.
