A power loom is a mechanized device used for weaving cloth. It automates the process of interlacing threads, significantly increasing production speed compared to hand looms. Invented during the Industrial Revolution, the power loom played a crucial role in the textile industry, allowing for mass production of fabrics. The operation of a power loom is powered by electricity or steam, which drives the movement of the shuttle and the warp threads. This innovation not only improved efficiency but also reduced labor costs. The development of the power loom is often associated with inventors like Edmund Cartwright, who patented the first successful design in the late 18th century.