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The Invention of the Sewing Machine
Excerpt from The Invention of the Sewing Machine
It had no instrument panel with push-button controls. It was not Operated electronically or jet-propelled. But to many l9th-century people the sewing machine was probably as awe-inspiring as a space capsule is to their 20th century descendants. It was expensive, but, considering the work it could do and the time it could save, the cost was more than justified. The sewing machine became the first widely advertised consumer appliance, pioneered installment buying and patent pooling, and revolutionized the ready-made clothing industry. It also weathered the protests of those who feared the new machine was a threat to their livelihood.
The practical sewing machine is not the result of one man's genius, but rather the culmination Of a century of thought, work, trials, failures, and partial successes Of a long list of inventors. History is too quick to credit one or two men for an important invention and to forget the work that preceded and prodded each man to contribute his share. It is no discredit to Howe to state that he did not invent the sewing machine. Howe's work with the sewing machine was important, and he did patent certain improvements, but his work was one step along the way. It is for the reader to decide whether it was the turning point.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
It had no instrument panel with push-button controls. It was not Operated electronically or jet-propelled. But to many l9th-century people the sewing machine was probably as awe-inspiring as a space capsule is to their 20th century descendants. It was expensive, but, considering the work it could do and the time it could save, the cost was more than justified. The sewing machine became the first widely advertised consumer appliance, pioneered installment buying and patent pooling, and revolutionized the ready-made clothing industry. It also weathered the protests of those who feared the new machine was a threat to their livelihood.
The practical sewing machine is not the result of one man's genius, but rather the culmination Of a century of thought, work, trials, failures, and partial successes Of a long list of inventors. History is too quick to credit one or two men for an important invention and to forget the work that preceded and prodded each man to contribute his share. It is no discredit to Howe to state that he did not invent the sewing machine. Howe's work with the sewing machine was important, and he did patent certain improvements, but his work was one step along the way. It is for the reader to decide whether it was the turning point.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
166 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 16, 2019
Excellent. This 1968 book is filled with a well-researched and well-written history of the sewing machine; unfortunately, there are no illustrations in the Kindle version of the work.
February 27, 2021
Pretty good book! A lot of facts mixed in with progressing complications of the sewing machine. Good information on the sewing machines, and inventors!
November 21, 2015
An in depth look at the invention of the sewing machine. I had no idea Elias Howe did not come up with the concept of the sewing machine but rather improved upon existing ideas. His patent was certainly the first successful one, though, thanks in part to various lawsuits over patent infringement. It is amazing to think how one little machine could have been fought over by so many men trying to make the next best improvement, and the U.S. economy was significantly influenced during the 19th century as a result. Isaac Singer's company cleverly established installment purchasing, which also influenced how business was done in the U.S. How neat it would be to view the collection of sewing machines at the Smithsonian, thanks to the requirement of a model by the U.S. patent office prior to the 1920s! I only wish the version of this book for my Kindle included the sketches/pictures of all the various machines it discussed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews