Object of the Month – July 2010
Howe was father of sewing machine
The first sewing machine was invented and patented in England in 1791, but the inventor, Thomas Saint, never built a working model. Several Americans and Europeans developed sewing machines over the next 50 years, but the first commercially successful machine was invented by Elias Howe in 1845.
Isaac Singer created a sewing machine in 1851, but Howe sued him for patent infringement and won. Thereafter, Singer machines were produced under a license from Howe, at a cost of $1.15 per machine.
Soon sewing machine manufacturers were proliferating, with competing designs and costly litigation. In 1856, the four largest manufacturers – including Howe and Singer – pooled their patents and formed the Sewing Machine Combination. All other manufacturers were required to pay the Combination a $15 licensing fee per machine.
The Neenah Historical Society has a Howe machine, believed to be from the 1860s. It is in operating condition and is currently on display at the Octagon House Museum.