Essay sewing machine

The first viable, working sewing machine was invented by French tailor Barthélemy Thimonnier in 1830. By 1841, he has produced eighty machines for use by the French military to sew uniforms.

It was meant to sew leather and canvas, but a working model was never built. He eventually lost interest in his machine and sold it without patenting it. He used many other manufacturer's ideas and put together a foot pedal, which was also told to be patented.

In 1846, America, a mechanic Elias Howe came up with another design for the sewing machine, using the lockstitch instead of Thimonnier’s chain stitch method. However, the machine was not well received in America and Howe travelled to England to seek financing for the production for his machine.

The sewing machine continued to gain in popularity and by the 1890s, it was common enough for it to lose its association as a status symbol. This led to a change in the perception of the sewing machine. Instead of being something meant to be displayed, it was now a tool that was best hidden from view, even though it was still frequently used.