Heathcoat, John

(born Aug. 7, 1783, Duffield, Derbyshire, Eng.—died Jan. 18, 1861, Tiverton, Devon) British inventor. The lacemaking machine he patented in 1809, the most complex textile machine then in existence, produced an exact imitation of handmade pillow lace. His lace factory was destroyed by Luddites in 1816. He later developed means for ornamenting net in the course of manufacture, for making ribbons as well as plaited and twisted net, and for winding raw silk from cocoons.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica