The Textile Machine Works began as a braiding machines repair and replacement company for German imported equipment, but they began building their own braiding machines in late 1892. During the 1900s, the company assembled the first American full-fashioned knitting machine. Production increased from about 100 per year in 1912 to more than 1,000 per year by 1926, as the market for full-fashioned hosiery expanded. The Textile Machine Works was founded by Henry Janssen (1866-1948) and Ferdinand Thun (1866-1949) on July 5, 1892, in Reading, Pennsylvania. This small collection consists of two publications, both related to the "Reading" knitting machine. One is titled The "Reading" Full-Fashioned Knitting Machine parts catalog and the other is titled T.M.W. Erector's Bulletin. The materials in the collection date from 1929 to 1956, with the majority of the items dating from the 1930s and 1940s.

The Textile Machine Works began as a braiding machines repair and replacement company for German imported equipment, but they began building their own braiding machines in late 1892. In the 1900s the company assembled the first American full-fashioned knitting machine (full-fashioned is a knitted garment shaped or seamed to fit close to the body). The Textile Machine Works was founded by Henry Janssen (1866-1948) and Ferdinand Thun (1866-1949) on July 5, 1892, in Reading, Pennsylvania. This collection consists of photographs depicting views of the Textile Machine Works that document plant operations, technology, and the company town. There are numerous photographs of machines made by the company in their own foundry, primarily the "Reading" full-fashioned knitting machine; many of these have been retouched for use in trade catalogs.

The Textile Machine Works began as a braiding machines repair and replacement company for German imported equipment, but they began building their own braiding machines in late 1892. The Textile Machine Works was founded by Henry Janssen (1866-1948) and Ferdinand Thun (1866-1949) on July 5, 1892, in Reading, Pennsylvania. This collection includes administrative and financial records of the parent company and major subsidiaries from 1900 to 1968. There is additional material relating to employee relations and the establishment and operation of the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute.

The Wyomissing Development Company was a housing development firm for the employees of a manufacturer of knitting machinery, the Textile Machine Works. Both companies were incorporated by Henry Janssen (1866-1948) and Ferdinand Thun (1866-1948). The collection contains two minute books which document the organization of the Wyomissing Development Company, the acquisition of land for the company town and other public facilities including stores, parks, playgrounds, schools, and hospitals.