What significant achievement is credited to Richard Arkwright?

Richard Arkwright was a key figure in the Industrial Revolution, a period of massive technological and economic change in Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries. While others invented machines, Arkwright's genius lay in organizing and scaling up production. He didn't invent the spinning frame, but he significantly improved it and, more importantly, he created the factory system. Before Arkwright, textile production was a cottage industry, with people working from home. Arkwright brought workers and machines together under one roof, using water power to drive the machinery. This allowed for much greater efficiency and consistent quality, leading to mass production of textiles. His factories were so successful and profitable that they became a model for other industries, revolutionizing the way goods were produced and contributing significantly to Britain's economic growth. So, while new farming methods were also important during this time, Arkwright's lasting legacy is establishing those efficient and profitable factories.