The forerunner of bobbinet tulle was bobbin lace. It was an adaptation of John Heathcoat's bobbinet machine. Bobbinet machines were invented in 1808 by John Heathcoat. The product of this "Loughborough machine" came to be known as English net or bobbinet. When bobbinet is woven with spots, it is called point d'esprit. This machine-made lace was also called 'English net' or bobbinet.