Singer Sewing Machines - A brief history and a look at models

First patent issued for a sewing needle - Charles Weisenthal (Germany)

Jan 1, 1755

The first possible patent connected to mechanical sewing was a 1755 British patent issued to German, Charles Weisenthal. Weisenthal was issued a patent for a needle that was designed for a machine, however, the patent did not describe the rest of the machine if one existed.

First patent for a design of complete sewing machine

Jan 1, 1790

The English inventor and cabinet maker, Thomas Saint was issued the first patent for a complete machine for sewing in 1790. It is not known if Saint actually built a working prototype of his invention. The patent describes an awl that punched a hole in leather and passed a needle through the hole. A later reproduction of Saint's invention based on his patent drawings did not work.

Automatic machine for sewing caps - not patented - Germany

Jan 1, 1810

In 1810, German, Balthasar Krems invented an automatic machine for sewing caps. Krems did not patent his invention and it never functioned well.

Another machine patented, unsuccessful - Austria

Jan 1, 1814

Austrian tailor, Josef Madersperger made several attempts at inventing a machine for sewing and was issued a patent in 1814. All of his attempts were considered unsuccessful.

First American sewing machine - failure

Jan 1, 1818

In 1818, the first American sewing machine was invented by John Adams Doge and John Knowles. Their machine failed to sew any useful amount of fabric before malfunctioning.

First functional sewing machine - France

Jan 1, 1830

The first functional sewing machine was invented by the French tailor, Barthelemy Thimonnier, in 1830. Thimonnier's machine used only one thread and a hooked needle that made the same chain stitch used with embroidery. The inventor was almost killed by an enraged group of French tailors who burnt down his garment factory because they feared unemployment as a result of his new invention.

The first Singer Sewing Machines go on sale!

Mar 1, 1851

Isaac Merritt Singer formed I.M. Singer & Company with New York lawyer Edward C. Clark, following Singer's first lockstitch sewing machine patent. The Singer Sewing Machine is offered for sale all over the United States. Within two years Singer is the leading manufacturer and marketer of sewing machines in the United States.

Lock-Stitch vibrating shuttle

Mar 1, 1859

Singer received first of three patents for lock-stitch vibrating shuttle machines.

New Family

Mar 11, 1865

The "New Family" sewing machine introduced.

Singer 66 model introduced

Mar 1, 1900

Singer Company was producing 40 different sewing machine models.
The "Singer 66" was introduced.

Portable Electric

Mar 1, 1921

Singer introduced the "Portable Electric," an electric-motor powered model 99K.

Featherweight

Mar 1, 1933

Singer introduced its "Featherweight" at the Chicago's World Fair.

Singer celebrates 100th Anniversary

Mar 1, 1951

Singer Sewing Centers train an estimated 400,000 housewives.
Singer recovers from World War II when sewing machine production was suspended, reaching $307.8 million in sales during its centennial year.

Model 206 - ZigZag machine

Mar 1, 1952

Singer introduced the model 206, its first zigzag machine.

Touch and Sew

Mar 11, 1965

Singer introduces the "Touch and Sew" sewing machines.
Consolidated sales reached $979.8 million.

Athena 2000

Mar 1, 1975

Singer introduces the world's first electronic sewing machine, the Athena 2000.

Touchtronic

Mar 1, 1978

Singer introduced the Touchtronic 2001, the world's first computer-controlled machine.

Quantum Line

Mar 1, 1990

Singer introduced the QUANTUM® line, a new series of sewing machines specifically for the professional and avid sewer who demands performance, ease-of-use and state of the art features. Singer introduced the Magic Steam Ironing Press™, an at-home version of presses found in most tailor shops and dry cleaning stores.

Ulimited

Mar 1, 1990

Singer introduced the 9900 Unlimited which contained the largest microprocessor ever incorporated in sewing machines. The model 9900 had many easy-to-use, time-saving features including a LED message center offering practical advice to the sewer.

Elegance Embroidery

Mar 1, 1995

Singer introduced the Elegance line of sewing machines and the Embroidery Unlimited Machine. The new Embroidery Unlimited machine brought professional embroidery and monogramming to your personal computer.

Millennium Series

Mar 1, 1996

Singer introduced the Millennium Series sewing machines.

Embroidery machine

Mar 1, 1997

Singer introduced the QUANTUM® XL-1000, the most advanced machine in the market offering a wide variety of memory cards for serious embroiderers.

Singer celebrates 150th Anniversary

Mar 1, 2001

Singer again launched the world's most advanced home sewing and embroidery machine: the QUANTUM® XL-5000. The machine offers state of the art features such as a fully automated re-threading system, wind-in-place bobbin winding system, and the next generation of Professional Sew-Ware™, making it the most powerful and user-friendly system on the market.

Current model (Janome)

Mar 1, 2015

This 2015 model Janome sewing machine has wireless connectivity - connect with your iPad or computer!!