Why did the industrialization of cotton spinning happen so early in Switzerland (1801-1848)?

Nils Herger ()
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Nils Herger: Study Center Gerzensee

No 26.04, Working Papers from Swiss National Bank, Study Center Gerzensee

Abstract: This paper examines the remarkably early development of Switzerland's cotton-spinning industry. The corresponding history differs in crucial ways from the British case by occurring in a landlocked country without colonies or domestic coalfields. Nevertheless, Switzerland's pioneering cotton-spinning mills were highly profitable. Extra transportation costs from importing raw cotton could be offset by hiring textile workers from a preindustrial cottage industry at relatively low wages. The coal handicap could be overcome by exploiting water power from Alpine rivers. As a result, the cotton-spinning industry spread along these rivers rather than being concentrated in large cities.

Pages: 28 pages
Date: 2026-09
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