It successfully churned out antique models, such as 1, 2, 5, 8, and the D9. However, it was not until 1880 that the company maintained serial number records. In 1853, the company began mass production of sewing machines. Wheeler and Wilson’s sewing machine was a product of the partnership between Nathaniel Wheeler and Allen Wilson, who’s accredited for the rotating hook and four motion feed. Its most popular antique models such, as the Singer 15k model, Singer 66k model, and Singer 99k model became worldwide successes. The Singer sewing machine went on to become the most successful brand. Elias Howe won, leading to the first patent-pooling case where he earned royalties from anyone using his patent through licensing, making him very rich. His machine, however, used the Howe-patented lockstitch system leading to patent litigation. Issac Singer produced the first machine where the needle oscillated up and down and was treadle powered (machines before then were hand-cranked). Invented by American actor and inventor Issac Singer, the Singer sewing machine is still in production. Singer is probably the most successful and popular sewing machine brand. With an increase in production in 1860, the brand expanded to Europe.

Following patent battles that he successfully won, his elder brother, after obtaining a license from him, began producing the first Howe Sewing Machines in 1854. His sewing machine employed a process that used thread from two sources, and the needle featured the eye near the tip. The first patented American brand sewing machine was under the inventor Elias Howe in 1846. Several failures by other patent-seeking inventors followed, until French tailor Barthelemy Thimonnier, produced the first functional sewing machine.Īfterward, came the golden age of sewing machines with brands such as Howe, Singer, Jones, Wheeler and Wilson, Willox & Gibbs, Pfaff, Phoenix, Viking, White, and New Home. A fellow countryman, Thomas Saint, followed with a patented design, whose reproduction failed. It was not until the late 18th century, that there were several attempts to mechanize the sewing industry.įirst was John Heathcoat, a British inventor credited with the construction of the wrap-loom. The first sewing needles were products of bones while the thread was made from animal sinew.

Sewing is a craft that is over 20 decades old. To figure out what the oldest sewing machine brand is, we need to understand the history of sewing machines.

Phoenix sewing machine