Spinning cotton with self-acting mules of the type devised by Richard Roberts in 1825 (c1835). [Getty Images]

Spinning cotton with self-acting mules of the type devised by Richard Roberts in 1825 (c1835). These could be powered by water wheel or steam engine and power was transferred to the machines through belt-and-shafting. Under the mule minded by the woman on the left, a child is employed to crawl under the threads and sweep up. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Hulton Archive Print Collector