Calicos and their production

In the 18th century, the production of hand-printed cotton calico cloths was Geneva’s second-largest industry after watchmaking. Originally from India, this technique was brought to Geneva by French entrepreneurs at the end of the 17th century.
Requiring large quantities of running water, the workshops were located along the lake shore at the edge of town where they even became tourist attractions. Calico production ceased during the course of the 19th century.