Who invented the spinning wheel?

It is not known who invented the spinning wheel. The origins of the its creation are obscure, but it is generally agreed that the spinning wheel was probably created in India and spread to European nations during the Middle Ages.

The spinning wheel was invented to improve the process of turning fibers into thread. Previously, this had been accomplished by hand spinning with a spindle.

In the early 16th century, the Saxon wheel was introduced to Europe. This version of the spinning wheel featured a bobbin that could wind thread continuously. The machine continued to be improved and mechanized throughout the Industrial Revolution.