{"id":10570,"date":"2023-11-08T17:30:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T16:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/?p=10570"},"modified":"2023-11-08T17:30:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T16:30:21","slug":"who-invented-the-sewing-machine-in-the-industrial-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/who-invented-the-sewing-machine-in-the-industrial-revolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Invented The Sewing Machine In The Industrial Revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It is well documented that the industrial revolution shaped and changed society for the better in so many ways. One particular and important invention that emerged during this time was the sewing machine. Who exactly was responsible for this innovation and how did it benefit society? <\/p>\n

In 1830, the first person responsible for inventing the basic sewing machine was Frenchman Barthelemy Thimonnier. He was an inventor and a Shoemaker by trade. His invention was made up of a single needle with an eye near the point, it was connected to a mechanized system that consisted of a treadle and a crank. The first advertisement of the invention recognized Thimonnier as its inventor and offered the machine for sale. Although the sewing machine was highly unconventional, it became clear that it had the potential to revolutionize the production process. <\/p>\n

An important consideration of the invention however was that it led to the decline of tailors’ guilds which were struggling to remain competitive. Tailors feared the faster and more efficient sewing machines, as it would cause an economic decline. When Thimonnier opened his tailor shop with his inventions, a mob of tailors attacked the shop and burnt it to the ground. Despite this, it spurred Thimonnier to continue to develop the idea of the sewing machine. He went on to patent something called the ‘Chain Stitch’ sewing machine, however this was subsequently destroyed in a fire. This meant that it did not achieve widespread use or popularity, and was never mass-produced.<\/p>\n

Issac Merritt Singer is credited for patenting the modern-day sewing machine in 1851. This version was far more advanced than Thimonnier’s machine, and allowed embroidery, quilt making, and clothing manufacture. It was made up of several parts and was more practical to use; it was also significantly more efficient. In addition to this, Singer also saw the potential of selling machines on credit, payment of which could be made in instalments. This method of sales meant increased numbers of people had access to the invention and could benefit from it. <\/p>\n