The Bobbinet machine is a plain-net lacemaking machine invented and patented by John Heathcoat in 1808 (patent no. 3151), and with a slight modification it was patented again in 1809 (patent no. 3216). This machine was known as the Old Loughborough. Heathcoat continued to improve his machine. There were many breaches of his patent. The 'Circular' was an improvement, designed in 1824, by William Morley (patent no.4921). As it gained ascendency, its distinctive name was dropped; it became the bobbinet and Heathcoats machíne the Old Loughborough.