The Impact of the Invention of the Sewing Machine on...

Tracie Jackson Chamberlain College of Nursing HUMN303 Introduction to Humanities Professor Catherine Coan June 12, 2011 The Impact of the Invention of the Sewing Machine on America The large number of practical and useful inventions brought forward during the time leading up to and including the period known as the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on both American society and the world. The transition that took place resulted in reliance on mechanical sources of power/energy rather than the traditional human or animal sources to produce the products needed (Hackett, 1992). One of†¦show more content†¦It was primarily designed to sew leather and canvass for boots and used a single needle to produce a simple chain stitch (Museum of American Heritage, 2010). In 1830, Barthelemy Thimmonier, a French tailor, patented the first functional sewing machine that used a hooked embroidery-type needle to produce a chain stitch. However, in 1841, after successfully using his machines to mass produce army clothing, his production facility was destroyed and he was almost killed by other tailors in the town who were angry and threatened by the machine’s efficiency and utility. In America during the early 1830’s, a New York inventor, Walter Hunt, produced the first sewing machine that created a lockstitch. As a result, thinking changed and duplication of the human hand stitch was no longer the standard that inventors were measured by. Hunt at that time did not see the promise of his invention and did not file for a patent to protect it. He sold his interest for a small fee. (Museum of American Heritage, 2010). In 1846, Elias Howe filed a patent for a sewing machine that used two needles and generated thread from two different sources, resulting in a lock-stitched seam. However, Howe spent several years trying to defend his patent in America and market his machine abroad. In 1856, Howe successfully sued several of the patent infringers and received substantial income from the settlement, which paid him a fixedShow MoreRelatedImpact Of The Industrial Revolution On The United States1013 Words   |  5 Pagesrefers to a change from hand and home production to machine and factory (Kelly). During this time period, America was growing in knowledge. The industrialization of America involved three great developments. Transportation was expanded, electricity was effectively harnessed and many improvements were made to several industrial processes (Kelly). Although this change greatly helped the United States economy, it had both a positive and negative impact on the lives of the American people. TransportationRead MoreIndustrialization Of The Industrial Revolution Essay999 Words   |  4 PagesVanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan. The Industrial Revolution completely restructured the old America into a completely different place in which we now live in. These changes brought about railroads, manufacturing cities, and population growth; this also brought new inventions such as electricity and steel itself. Although it had some positive impacts, it also introduced new problems such as the dramatic difference between the rich and the poor. Overall, it led to the changeRead MoreEssay about Garrett Morgan: a Biography1422 Words   |  6 PagesCleveland, he learned the inner workings of the sewing machine and in opened his own sewing machine store in 1907, where he both sold new machines and repaired old ones. In 1908 Morgan married Mary Anne Hassek with whom he later had three sons. In 1909, Morgan opened a tailoring shop, selling coats, suits and dresses. While working in this shop he came upon a discovery which brought about his first invention. He noticed that the needle of a sewing machine moved with such a high speed that often itsRead MoreIndustrial Revolution and Contributions Essay909 Words   |  4 Pagesreserves, investments from profits helped to stimulate the economy, and small investors started to invest in stocks because they thought it would help them get rich quicker Inventions played a key fact because there were new technology, and science that added to the industrial revolution. Issaic Singer patented the sewing machine and revolutionized textile. The Typewriter invented by Christopher Sholes, helped revolutionize business, following that the carbon paper was created in 1872, and then soldRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Of The Middle East1071 Words   |  5 Pagesignored in America nor England during the Industrial Revolution, but, rather, was seen by many as an opportune investment during a time of extraordinarily progressive innovation. With this in mind the Industrial Revolution became heavily involved with the advancement of weaponry, forever changing the face of war unlike any era before it. The industrial revolution was a time of great change for both Europe and America. Inventions during this time (such as the cotton gin, the steam engine, sewing machine)Read MoreImportance Of American Identity1547 Words   |  7 Pagescontent, research, and interviews the American Identity can best be described using the words freedom, pride, and importance. When America formed, people immigrated to this country in search of freedom. America is built on the basic principle of freedom. One of the main reasons people immigrate to America from their home country is because of all the freedoms we have. America is thought of as the land of free. There is freedom of education, religion, expression, speech, and belief. Though we are builtRead MoreThe Fashion Transition Of 18601408 Words   |  6 PagesModernity Project Section 1 Chuanming Wang The fashion transition from 1860 to 1940 Before the middle of the century, most clothing was made at home, either by the wearer or a family member. 75 percent of all clothing in America was homemade at the beginning of the century. Only wealthier people could afford the services of a tailor. Then the technical advances and the capability for mass manufacturing were making fashionable dress available to a rapidly expanding middle class. In his well knownRead MoreThe Start of Americas Industrial Revolution Essay1748 Words   |  7 PagesEngland bringing their knowledge of textile technology (World of Invention). At the same time, English-born, textile mill-trained, Samuel Slater illegally emigrated to the new country of America with secrets and memories of English textile technology. Within a year, Slater had established the first spinning mill in America, thus beginning the American Industrial Revolution. In order to continue controlling the economy of its colonies in America, the British Parliament passed acts and levied taxes againstRead MoreThe Gilded Age By Mark Twain And Charles Warner2268 Words   |  10 PagesNew inventions and corporations led to industrialization and immigration growing in our nation. Industrialization led to the creating of mass culture, which allowed people to have more leisure time. However, all of the great wealth that industrialization brought to the U.S. hid the fact that African Americans faced segregation, and nonwhites were discriminated against during this time in history. The Gilded Age lasted from 1865 to 1914, a short time in U.S. history, but it had a major impact in theRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Essay847 Words   |  4 PagesThe Industrial Revolution During the 1800s, phenomenal changes took place in America. These changes would impact our society incredibly for years to come and even still in the present. The major changes that took place were in transportation and industry. American society expanded so much in the early 1800s that it very well could have been the only time in history where this happened in such a short amount of time. From steamboats to railroads and from textile mills to interchangeable parts