Short answers, pulled from the story.
Warp threads are held under high tension vertically while weft threads cross horizontally through them with almost no tension. Each individual vertical thread is called a warp end, and each horizontal crossing is known as a pick.
John Kay invented the flying shuttle on the 1st of January 1733 to speed up the weaving process. This tool allowed shuttles to move faster than hand threading could manage.
South American cultures including ancient Incas and Aymaras employed backstrap weaving methods. Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez documented these practices in the Peruvian Highlands using body weight to control loom tension.
The word weft derives directly from the Old English term meaning to weave. The root connects to throwing actions found in German and Dutch languages.
Modern textiles often utilize synthetic fibers like polyester and polyamide nylon instead of traditional wool or linen. Viscose is another name for rayon used in contemporary fabrics alongside durable synthetic options.