Today MCI wants to celebrate the life of Elias Howe, the man who should be more celebrated for changing the way clothing is made. Frankly, without his inventions, you would most likely have your trousers round your ankles! His story has everything, tragedy and taking on the bad corporate big boys and winning…..Curious? Read on!
Elias Howe wasn’t the original sewing machine inventor, but his refinements made the sewing machine, the machine that we know today. His additions included adding a needle with an eye at the point, an automatic feed and a shuttle mechanism under the feed helping to create the lock stitch. Believe it or not, the idea of placing the eye of the needle at the point came to him in a dream. In this dream, he was being forced by a king to create a sewing machine within 24 hours on pain of death. Like all good fairytales, he awoke and created the needle. He patented his invention in 1846.
He was far from a ‘happily ever after’ though. His attempts to sell these machines was largely unsuccessful and he returned to be with his ill wife, who tragically died not long thereafter. Further tragedy followed when he discovered that Singer and other companies were copying his machine without his consent. Understandably angered, Howe took all the companies to court and won. Howe was awarded considerable royalties by the court. A happy ending after all.
Howe also invented and patented a type of zipper in 1851 called the ‘Automatic Continuous Clothing Closure’, but he never really marketed it. This was a shame, as he would have received the recognition and money for such an important invention if he had.
MCI can help entrepreneurs to develop and manufacture their ideas. Give us a call on 01324 611371 to see how we can help you.
Have a good weekend everyone!