While we often view art and industry as separate, the development of textile arts was radically transformed by the 'Flying Shuttle,' patented by John Kay in 1733. This device allowed a single weaver to weave much wider fabrics and at a much faster speed than previously possible. Before this, weaving was a slow, manual process requiring two people to pass the shuttle back and forth on a wide loom. The invention was so successful that it created a 'yarn famine'—weavers could now produce cloth faster than spinners could produce thread, leading to the invention of the Spinning Jenny. The Flying Shuttle faced violent opposition from workers who feared that the increased efficiency would lead to job losses, leading to Kay's house being destroyed by a mob. This intersection of craft, engineering, and social change is a foundational story of the Industrial Revolution's impact on the decorative arts.