Invented by: Elias Howe (Sewing Machine)

Information: Elias Howe was born on July 9, 1819 and died on October 3, 1867.
His invention was a fast sewing machine. His most important contribution was that it was a lock-stitch sewing machine, so that the stitches didn't pull back out again. It was five times faster than anything else of that time. It was patented in 1846.

Nobody in America would lend Elias the money to build a factory to make his machines, so he left for London where he and another man made improvements to his idea. While he was gone, other American businesses stole and copied his idea, even though it was patented. When he got back to America, he went to court to make those businesses pay for their theft of his idea including the very famous Singer factory. He won his case and was given lots of money from the other companies. In 1865 established the Howe Machine Company.

Victorians Inventions Page