in 1759, jedediah strutt patented and built a machine called the derby rib attachment that revolutionised the manufacture of hose. this attachment was used on the rev. lee's framework knitting machine; it was placed in front of – and worked in unison with – lee's frame, to produce ribbed hose (stockings). the partners were jedediah strutt, william woollatt (who had been joined in 1758 by john bloodworth and thomas stafford, all leading hosiers in derby). the patent was obtained in january 1759. after three years, bloodworth and stafford were paid off, and samuel need – a hosier of nottingham – joined the partnership. the firm was known as need, strutt and woollatt. the patent expired in 1773, though the partnership continued until 1781 when need died.