In the early to mid 19th century, many households and in particular female home seamstresses, spent tedious hours hand-stitching fabrics together. This all changed in the 1840s when Elias Howe, a skilled machinist, designed and patented the first commercially successful sewing machine.
Howe, born July 9, 1819 in Spencer, Massachusetts, displayed a mechanical aptitude early in life. At 15, he began working as a machinist’s apprentice in Cambridge and 4 years later, in 1839, he moved to Lowell and became a full-time machinist.
After earning a meager living as a full-time machinist and hearing about the rewards for inventors in France and England, Howe decided in 1845 to try inventing a sewing machine. He came up with a plan for a machine that used a eyepad of curved needles, a shuttle, and a continuous source of thread.
Inspired by seeing barrel lock stitching in the ships rope lashings, Howe devised a lockstitch design in 1846 but opposition and pessimism from the family stymied his invention, so he decided to move to Cambridge, near his brother Amasa’s business workshop.
Despite his supersonic efforts, Howe was unable to find a working model of his sewing machine. As such, Howe pretty much stayed broke for two full years. He had paid for three expensive trips to England, taken on a partner and sold his interest, as well as his one-third interest in his brother’s machine shop in exchange for a mere $250. Howe was even forced to separate from his wife, Elizabeth, and children, who went to live with his father in Massachusetts.
By 1847, Helias had a working model. In the same year, he applied for the patent of his invention. After it was granted, Howe and Ambrose W.A. Potter, who had bought into Howe’s patent, entered into a contract in 1853 to manufacture them. And per the contract, Elias was to receive a license fee and a royalty for every machine.At long last, in 1854, the patent was approved and Howe’s career as a successful inventor had begun.
The Impact of Elias Howe’s Sewing Machine
One of the ways in which Elias Howe’s invention achieved popularity was the fact that it was much less expensive to manufacture than other machines of the era. This made the sewing machine attractive to factories and the masses. Furthermore, Elias Howe’s machine aided in the mass production of clothing and the discovery of faster, more efficient production techniques.
The invention of the sewing machine revolutionised the entire apparel industry. It allowed garments to be created rapidly, with a much higher level of quality. This led to more innovative designs, more options for shoppers, and a decrease in the amount of manual labor necessary for garment production. Moreover, seamstresses were able to make a more secure income because they were no longer restricted to doing manual labor.
Overall, the sewing machine has increased efficiency in the clothing manufacturing process, while also providing numerous economic benefits. It has revolutionised the entire textile industry and allowed for even more creative design and production possibilities.
The Further Developments of Sewing Machines
After Elias Howe’s invention, several further developments were made to the original sewing machine. The first was the addition of an overlocker, which was introduced in 1886 by James Edward Allen Gibbs.In 1910, Raymond DeBate patented a “performing locking stitch” which made intricate pattern creation easier and added an element of artistry in apparel. In 1916, the first electric motor-driven sewing machine was developed.
In 1934, Zenith Industries developed the first zigzag machine, which allowed for more complex stitches. This set the benchmark for modern machines with complex stitches and was the foundation for computerized sewing machines. In 1982, New Home released the first purely computerized sewing machine, which provided users with access to more than 30 different types of stitches.
An even bigger breakthrough came with the first “smart” sewing machine, released by Janome in 2002. This machine had built-in memory and was connected to a computer via a USB port, allowing users to access and modify stitching patterns with ease. In 2020, Brother released a “smart” embroidery machine which offers users the ability to create custom embroideries with maximum precision and speed.
The Monetary Value of the Sewing Machine
In its modern form, the sewing machine has become an essential household appliance, not to mention a major source of income for many textile industries. Nowadays, the market for sewing machines is estimated to be worth over $10 billion, with the majority of sales in Asia Pacific, and Europe following in second.
The sewing machine industry is continuing to grow, and this could be attributed to the fact that new features, technology and textures are always being introduced to satisfy consumers evolving needs. Moreover, sewing machine technology has expanded to include an ever-growing range of devices and accessories.
Several popular sewing machine brands, such as Janome, Singer, and Brother, all offer different types of machines for a variety of needs and price points. One can find an affordable and reliable machine for basic sewing needs, or an expensive and specialized machine for intricate quilting, embroidery, or dressmaking.
The Challenges associated with Sewing Machines
Even though the invention of the sewing machine has made the textile industry far more efficient, there are still some challenges that come with the ownership of a sewing machine. One such challenge is the maintenance and repair of a sewing machine. Sewing machines, like most other machines, require regular maintenance and repair to function at the peak of performance. The cost of such repairs can be costly, especially for machines of sophisticated design.
Another challenge is finding an experienced and knowledgeable repairperson who can properly diagnose and fix a sewing machine. Many repair shops may simply replace expensive parts that don’t require replacement, resulting in significant costs. Similarly, some technicians may be unfamiliar with the latest machines and technologies, and therefore unable to provide the right repair.
Finally, since sewing machines have become more complex with time, many people find it difficult to operate one. As such, many individuals have to rely on tutorials and the expertise of a professional technician in order to be able to use a modern sewing machine effectively.
The Environmental Impact of the Sewing Machine
While the sewing machine has helped to revolutionise the textile industry, it also has a negative environmental impact. Sewing machines consume a significant amount of energy in order to operate and also generate heat and dust. In addition, the use of certain sewing machines can lead to air pollution, due to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their use.
Another environmental impact of using a sewing machine is the fact that it produces a vast amount of fabric waste. Such waste is often difficult to dispose of and may end up in landfills, contaminating the soil. Fabric leftovers are also a major source of water pollution, since they are often dumped into rivers and other bodies of water.
Furthermore, the manufacture of some modern sewing machines generates a large amount of lubricants, paints, and other chemicals which can be harmful to the environment. Finally, the use of electric sewing machines causes extra emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases due to their energy consumption.
Conclusion
The sewing machine was a revolutionary invention that has helped to transform the textile industry. Invented by Elias Howe in 1845, it has made the task of creating garments much easier, faster, and more efficient. Furthermore, the introduction of electric, computerized, and “smart” machines has made it possible for every home to have their own sewing machines. The sewing machine is estimated to be worth over $10 billion and is continuing to grow as new features and technologies are added. However, there are still some challenges associated with the usage of a sewing machine, as well as its environmental impact.
