In the 20 th century, handloom craft actually expanded, handloom cloth production expanded steadily almost trebling between 1900 and 1940. (i) This was partly due to technological changes. Handicrafts people adopted new technology which improved production without pushing up the costs excessively. Weavers started using a fly shuttle which speeded up production and reduced labour demand. By 1941, over 35% of handlooms in India were fitted with fly shuttles. In Travancore, Madras, Mysore, Cochin and Bengal the proportion was 70 to 80%. There were several other innovations that helped weavers. (ii) The demand for finer Varities bought by the well-to-do was always stable, unlike the coarse variety. Famines did not affect the sale of Banarasi or Baluchari saris. Mills could not produce saris with woven borders, or the famous lungis and handkerchiefs of Madras. Handlooms cloth production in the 20 th century almost trebled between 1900-1940.