The history of the sewing machine

There are things that humanity has been using for a very long time. It seems that they have been with us since the time when civilization began. Let's take a sewing machine for example. It’s hard to imagine modern life without this device, but there were times when people sewed clothes using a bone needle.

In this article we will talk about creating a sewing machine. The reader will learn how from a simple and inconvenient unit over several centuries it turned into a complex electrical appliance.

How sewing machines changed during the Industrial Revolution

The first factories appeared in the 19th century. Industry and machines began to gradually replace manual labor. Craft workshops became a thing of the past, and a working class emerged. Now people did not make tools and products themselves, but helped machines do it.

But technology tends to break down, so repair shops quickly began to appear in European cities. Here the craftsmen repaired devices and replaced faulty parts.In one of these workshops (it specialized in repairing sewing machines), the still unknown Isaac Singer worked. Could he have thought then how famous his name would be?!

Isaac was no longer young, but in his heart he dreamed of creating his own business. The original idea was missing. And as often happens, His Majesty chance helped.

At that time, clothes were made on machines created by Howe. They often broke down, and therefore Singer was literally inundated with orders for repairs. One day he got angry and said that these machines were made so poorly on purpose that he, Isaac, would invent something completely different. Perhaps this remark would have disappeared into thin air, but he said it to his boss. An argument broke out between the men. We decided to make a bet. The owner of the workshop lent Singer forty dollars, and he got down to business.

The newly minted inventor had nothing to lose - he didn’t want to lose, and the chance to fulfill his dream and open his own business really inspired him. Singer plunged into work and 11 days later introduced the world to a new sewing machine. He won the bet.

Singer's invention was perfect for that time. Isaac changed the mechanics of the device. Here are the key changes:

• the needle was positioned vertically and the product horizontally;
• a presser foot appeared that held the fabric while working;
• the machine worked thanks to a foot pedal.

Needless to say, this invention was appreciated. Now the craftswoman’s hands were free—the machine wheel did not have to be turned, and the sewing process itself became easier.

Singer successfully patented the first copy, but did not stop there. Subsequent models were constantly improved. For example, he made parts removable for the first time.Previously, if one mechanism broke down, the entire device was sent to a landfill; after Singer’s improvements, it became possible to change individual parts.

The inventor continued the work. Over time, he met Howe and told him about his ideas. Howe liked Singer's thoughts, and the two unique people began to work together. Later they were joined by two more entrepreneurs (owners of garment factories). Singer's company became a giant in its industry.

Surprisingly, even during the heyday of Singer's production, a sewing machine remained a luxury for many European families. It cost $100 and was inaccessible to ordinary workers and villagers. And it was cheaper for businessmen to order clothes from a sewing workshop rather than buy an expensive unit.

And here Singer again demonstrated his talent - he proved himself to be a brilliant marketer. He understood how to convince consumers that a sewing machine was needed not only in a large factory, but in every home.

First, he released a series of household appliances. They were much cheaper, but not available for industrial sewing.

The calculation was made for housewives, and in order for them to notice the know-how, Singer launched a unique advertising campaign. The world has never seen anything like this before: at exhibitions and fairs, sewing machines were advertised by cute girls, and not by strict men in tailcoats. Brilliant emphasis on the interests of the target audience!

20th century – a period of growth in production

Singer's company quickly reached the global level. The inventor moved to England, where he lived for the rest of his life. The company continued to live after the death of its creator. Other people began to manage the company, and Singer’s descendants received income from its activities.

In 1908, a skyscraper 205 meters high was built in New York.It became the headquarters of the Singer company. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was the second tallest (after the Eiffel Tower) and stood for 60 years.

In 1902, the first factory for the production of sewing machines appeared in Podolsk. For Russian buyers, the logo was replaced with “Zinger”.

Already in 1914, the plant produced 600 million sewing machines annually. They were sold in specialized stores (more than 3,000 throughout the country), and also sent to customers by mail.

After the October Revolution, the Soviet government began to manage the factory. The name also changed: from then to this day the factory is called “Podolsk”.

During the twentieth century, sewing machines were constantly improved. They became electric, and the sewing speed increased significantly.

Sewing machine today

Surprisingly, Singer brand devices are still valued all over the world. Other manufacturers have appeared, and the sewing machine these days has become a smart device.

Today, sewing has become a real pleasure: the needlewoman can independently select a program, adjust the stitch length and the level of thread tension in the machine with one movement of the hand.

This story once again proves that everything will definitely work out if you believe in the cause and your own strength.