Who invented the sewing machine?
Sewing machines have a long and interesting history. British inventor Thomas Saint invented the first sewing machine design, which was meant to be used on leather and canvas. However, he did not market or advertise his invention well and there is no evidence that a working model existed. In 1874, a sewing machine manufacturer named William Newton Wilson found the blueprints of Saint’s sewing machine at the British Patent office and was able to construct a working model.
The First Practical Model
The first practical sewing machine was invented by a French tailor named Barthélemy Thimonnier in 1829. His factory was eventually shut down by other tailors who were worried about losing their livelihood to automated sewing machines.
Walter Hunt
The first American lockstitch sewing machine was invented by Walter Hunt in 1832. However, he lost interest in the development of the machine and did not file a patent until much later.
Elias Howe
The first patented lockstitch sewing machine was built by Elias Howe in 1845. His machine was built with improvements upon the work of his predecessors, including Water Hunt.
Isaac Singer
Inventor Isaac Singer of the Singer Manufacturing Company created affordable sewing machines, with a foot pedal, which could be used at home. He formed a company with other inventors in 1856 called the ‘Sewing Machine Combination’ by pooling together their patents.