Aislyn Cathers
Research Proposal for the Sewing Machine
February 12, 2009
The sewing machine is an absolute marvel. This machine is wonder of the world. Though sewing itself is not anything new it’s the speed and accuracy in which the job can be accomplished is what is so important. Everywhere you look you can see an example of the sewing machines handy work, from the automobile, toys, furniture, and clothes of all forms. I propose researching the topic of the sewing machine. All aspects of the machine will be explored, from its first stages as an American invention to its impact on the world. My key questions for this research are as follows; who was the first American inventor of the sewing machine? Where did their ideas come from? What made the first patented machine the one that was selected? Who became the leader in the sewing machine industry and how did that change industry in general? Finally what are the impacts of the invention and development of the sewing machine?
Most people think that Elias Howe was the first inventor of the sewing machine, when in fact he was the first to have the machine patent. The credit goes to John Doge and John Knowles around 1818. This is where I will begin my search for the background information and look up more information on John Doge and John Knowles through the internet because I can’t find any information at our library.
My primary sources will start at the Singer Sewing Machine website because they are truly the leading manufacturer of sewing machines; www.singerco.com. Also included in my primary sources are various newspaper articles and magazines from the mid nineteenth century well in to the twentieth century. For example an article from Scientific American from 1845-1908 titled “Sewing Machine” will be useful because it talks about the inventor and what the public was saying about it.
My secondary sources are varied to include sources from educational websites such as www.history.rochester.edu/Scientific_American/mystery/howe.htm and www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/introduction/b… which is a bibliography that will lead me to other sources on the topic. Because Singer brand sewing machine is the leading brand, I think it would be useful to research Isaac Merritt Singer. The TV show PBS did a piece about Singer and that is available online at www.pbs.org . There is so far one really good book written by Grace Rogers Cooper titled The Sewing Machine: Its Invention and Development and this will provide a solid background on the sewing machine and good ideas for further research.
The direction my paper should take is similar to a chronological order of events starting with the first appearance of the sewing machine, beginnings as an American invention, the selection of a certain style of machine, it’s uses in industry, how the sewing machine has changed in design to suit the public, and the impact the sewing machine has made on America and globally.
Annotated Bibliography
”History” 2003-2009 Singer Sewing Co. http://www.singerco.com/company/history.html Accessed on 2/6/2009. [This site gives a history and timeline for the singer sewing machine]
” Libraries of Curious and Unusual Facts: Inventive Genius“, Time Life Books, ISBN 0-8094-7699-1. Electronic Historical Publications, 1996 www.history.rochester.edu/Scientific_American/mystery/howe.htm accessed 1/24/2009. [This gives good background on Elias Howe and what he contributed]
Janssen, Barbara Suit. “Sewing Machines.” Historical Trade Literature in Smithsonian Collections Bibliography, 10/2000. www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections?Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/introduction/b… accessed 1/24/2009. [This website offers an extensive bibliography to guide further research]
” Who Made America: Isaac Merritt Singer The American Multinational” 1995-2009 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) www.pbs.org/wqbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/singer_hi.html Accessed 1/24/2009. [This is one of a few articles that PBS has with information on sewing machines]
Cooper, Grace Rogers. The Sewing Machine: Its Invention and Development. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1976. [Should provide solid background and progression of the sewing machine]
Bibliography
“Antique Sewing Machines- Origins.” Sewing Machine Collector, 3/2002. www.dincum.com/articles/history_res.html Accessed 1/24/2009.
Asiado, Tel. History of the Sewing Machine: Inventors Weisenthal, Thimmonier, Hunt, Howe, and Singer. Suite101.com 10/11/2008. www.greatthinkers.suite101.com/article.cfm/history_of_the_sewing_machine Accessed 1/24/2009.
Bellis, Mary. Stitches: The History of Sewing Machines.www.inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/sewing_machine.htm Accessed 1/24/2009.
Forsdyke, Graham. ISMACS International: American Sewing Machine Patent Models. ISMACS News, Issue 54, 1/1997. www.ismacs.net/articles/patent.html Accessed 1/24/2009.
“Invention of the sewing machine.” Nature 127 (April 1931): 610. Humanities & Social Sci Retro, WilsonWeb (accessed February 6, 2009).
New Sewing Machine. (1848, May). Scientific American (1845-1908), Vol. 3.(No. 33.), 260. Retrieved February 6, 2009, from American Periodicals Series Online database. (Document ID: 163633101).
Sewing Machine. (1847, August). Scientific American (1845-1908), VOL. 2.(NO. 49.), 388. Retrieved February 6, 2009, from American Periodicals Series Online database. (Document ID: 163613251).
Sewing Machine. (1848, April). Scientific American (1845-1908), Vol. 3.(No. 31.), 243. Retrieved February 6, 2009, from American Periodicals Series Online database. (Document ID: 163631351).
