Ward sewing machine

History of the sewing machine!

By J_CatLady_World_4
  • First sewing machine was patented by Thomas Saint

    First sewing machine was patented by Thomas Saint

    He was an Englishman, and he built his sewing machine during the first industrial revolution. It was meant to sew leather and canvas, but a working model was never built.
  • Australian tailor, Josef Madersperger, presented his first machine

    Australian tailor, Josef Madersperger, presented his first machine

    It took him seven years to put this one together, which imitated a human hand, and in 1839 he came out with another which imitated the weaving process using chain stitch.
  • Walter hunt invented the lockstitch machine

    Walter hunt invented the lockstitch machine

    He eventually lost interest in his machine and sold it without patenting it.
  • John Greenough patented the first machine in the US

    John Greenough patented the first machine in the US

  • Elias Howe gets his first patent

    Elias Howe gets his first patent

  • Singer was granted his first American patent

    Singer was granted his first American patent

    He used many other manufacturer's ideas and put together a foot pedal, which was also told to be patented. When Howe saw Singer's machine he claimed it was very similar to his and Singer lost his case and had to pay Howe $1.15 per machine sold.
  • Howe returns to America and finds people infringing his patent

    Howe returns to America and finds people infringing his patent

    Among them, Isaac Singer, and many others. Howe won his case and was granted the right to claim royalties from the manufacturers who used his idea.

  • Sewing Machine combination was formed

    Consisted of Singer, Howe, Wheeler and Wilson, and Grover and Baker. These four companies had to obtain a license and pay $15 per machine.
  • James Gibbs creates first chain-stitch single-thread

    James Gibbs creates first chain-stitch single-thread

    He was also partners with James Willcox and they had the Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company which is still around today.
  • Helen Blanchard patented the first zig-zag stitch machine

    Helen Blanchard patented the first zig-zag stitch machine

  • Sewing machine combination ends

    Last patents expired on machines
  • Merrow invents first crochet stitch machine

    Merrow invents first crochet stitch machine

  • Merrow wins lawsuit against Willcox & Gibbs for the rights of the original crochet stitch

    Merrow wins lawsuit against Willcox & Gibbs for the rights of the original crochet stitch

  • Electric sewing machines are now in wide usage

  • Toyota built their first sewing machine

    Toyota built their first sewing machine

    Mr.Toyota said that home-use products must be functional yet beautiful
  • Singer made the first portable sewing machine

    Singer made the first portable sewing machine

    Now widely used, usually under 11 pounds and run on batteries.
  • Orisol introduced the first industrialized sewing machine to the shoe-making world

    Orisol introduced the first industrialized sewing machine to the shoe-making world