Osbaldeston, John 001

b04289. This is the only known photograph of John Osbaldeston, the blackburn handloom weaver and inventor. He patented. a number of invention for the cotton industry. It is also said he invented the weft fork, but this is disputed. He was born at Snig Brook, Blackburn in 1780 and died pennyless in Blackburn Workhouse which was then on the towns moor, in 1862. G 3 Osb.