Happy Birthday to the man who brought us the sewing machine.

Smithsonian Libraries

And who is this dignified bearded gent? Why, it's Isaac Merritt Singer, born this day in 1811. His patented redesign of the sewing machine in 1851 finally made it practical enough to become a common household item. (Here's a photo of the patent model:http://ow.ly/7aM0c) Did you know that Singer originally wanted to be an actor?

Smithsonian Institution Libraries Detail of Plate 3: Isaac Merrit Singer Image no.sil10-4962-30a

www.sil.si.edu  

Hmmm.  So now I guess I better find out something about the needle.  That probably has a longer/older history.  Stay tune...update coming.