Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - July 22, 1984
By Helen Bouillez
Vigo County Historical Society

Museum's walking wheel unusual item for Midwest

Pictured above is a walking wheel with a Miners Head, which is on display at the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St.

Some form of spinning was in existence 15,000 years ago in Asia. An earlier attempt at spinning was done by twisting of plant fibers together by hand. Yarn also was made by rolling the fibers on legs or between hands. Paintings in the Egyptian tombs show spinning with a drop spindle

The first true spinning wheel was invented in India 800 to 1000 years ago. The idea spread to Asia and Europe where different types and names were used.

The first wheels were large and the spinner operated the wheel with her hand, taking three steps back to draw out the fiber and three steps forward to wind the yarn on the spindle. Because of this it was known as the walking wheel, great wheel, high wheel or wool wheel.

The spinster would easily walk 20 miles a day at her spinning wheel. This early type wheel, known as direct drive is still used in the Appalachian and Kentucky mountain regions

In 1810 the Miners Head, named after the inventor, was developed and enabled the spinner to produce better quality and more yarn with less effort. As a general rule, old walking wheels in the Midwest do not have the Miners Head. This refinement of the wool wheel failed to reach the pioneer homes of the Midwest before the decline of home spinning. The Miners Head was manufactured and sold in country stores from 1860 to 1875.

In 1533 a treadle type wheel with a flyer was invented in Brunswick, Germany, by Johann Jurgen. Leonado da Vinci had drawn plans for the flyer in 1519 but never developed it. The treadle wheel is known as a flax wheel, parlor wheel, Brunswick, Saxon and by other names. All fibers can be spun on it.

Spinning and weaving were cottage industries. It takes four to six spinners to keep a weaver supplied with yarn. Women would spin long hours in their homes to the specifications of the weaver.

The spinning Jennie was invented in 1770. At that time spinsters put their wheels away and turned to other work. Because they were illiterate there is no written record of their skills to guide the modern spinner

The Historical Museum has a very nice display of spinning wheels and is very fortunate to have two walking wheels, one of which has a Miners Head.