The Thesis 

THE ROCKING BEATER LOOM:

A New Case for an Early Form of Standing Beater Loom

Section Titles :
Chapter I: Introduction	Chapter IV: Presentation and Analysis of Findings
Chapter II: Related Literature	Chapter V: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Chapter III: Methodology	Abstract
Bibliography

The entire thesis is not included here, due to copyright restrictions and length.  However, a printed copy can be obtained by contacting the author.

Abstract

The thesis is an introductory overview of the rocker beater loom. The purpose of the study is:

• to identify the rocker beater loom as a category of Early American handmade floor looms
• to define the rocker beater component and the scope of its variations
• to attempt to place the style in historic perspective, as to geographic location and time period.

First a survey of loom development was conducted by reviewing loom literature. Second, twenty rocker beater looms were located and their properties examined in accordance with the purpose of the study.

Findings conclude that the rocker beater loom is an Early American, handcrafted, weaver-operated treadle loom. The frame consists of wood, in one of three architectural styles: Type A (pre-industrial or old style), Type B (mixed), and Type C (industrial or new style). The loom holds a continuous warp suspended horizontally between two rotating beams individually controlled by manual brake systems. A multi-shaft (two or four), counter-balanced, harness system is suspended from the loom frame and controlled by foot treadles (two, four, or six) attached at the rear of the loom. Weft is inserted by means of a hand-thrown shuttle and incorporated into the web with a cane reed (if original) positioned in a rocker beater frame (apparatus).

The rocker beater frame is not typical of an Early American loom. Rather than hanging from an overhead position on the loom, it operates from a standing position and is characterized by two rockers positioned at the lower ends of legs (swords) supporting the apparatus. These rockers rest on the base of the loom, facilitate the beating action, and provide a shifting pivot point that delivers an improved parallel sweep of the reed. The rockers may be free-standing but most are kept in place on the base of the loom by one of several methods (i.e., tin strips, peg-and-hole arrangements).

Findings, while not conclusive, indicate the style:

• was probably an Appalachian design
• was possibly inspired by a radical British loom designed by John Almond in 1771 as a handloom, but later recognized as a convenient style for power driving
• was an avant-garde style in the late eighteenth century
• was propagated by the western expansion movement of the late 1700's and early 1800's
• faded into obscurity during the later part of the nineteenth century due to the increased availability of factory-made textiles and mass-produced handlooms.
  

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