Elias Howe was born in Massachusetts in 1819. He was
apprenticed at a textile factory, and later worked as a mechanic with carding
machinery. For years he wrestled with the idea of a machine that could relieve tailors
and seamstresses of the drudgery of hand stitching. One night, he dreamed he
was about to be executed by primitive tribe for his inability to invent the
sewing machine. The “savages” came at him with spears – spears with piercings near
their tips. His dream led to the invention of the lockstitch sewing machine,
which uses a needle pierced near the tip. In 1851, Elias received a patent for
another invention, which he called the “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” The popularity of the sewing machine kept Elias so busy, he never really
marketed his other invention, which you’ve probably already used at least twice
today. Today is National Zipper Day, something you may want to remember next
time you zip up.
No comments:
Post a Comment