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The Sewing Machine Wars
Episode 39

The Sewing Machine Wars

Conjuring Curiosities · Clara Herbert

February 12, 20251h 10mExplicit

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Show Notes

The invention of the sewing machine was supposed to make life easier, so why did it spark one of the messiest patent wars in history? In this episode, we unravel the dramatic story of the sewing machine, from arsonist tailors and prophetic dreams, to legal battles and backstabbing. And of course we have to mention Isaac Singer, who was a real life Count Olaf and treated adultery as an olympic sport. Who knew sewing could be so scandalous? Grab your thimble and thread and join us as we stitch together the crazy history of sewing!


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SOURCES

Goldstar Tool - The Complete History of a Sewing Machine


Windham Textile and History Museum - Sewing Revolution: The Machine That Changed America


Smithsonian Magazine - The Many, Many Designs of the Sewing Machine


Wikipedia - Sewing machine


Wikipedia - Barthélemy Thimonnier


ThoughtCo. - History of the Sewing Machine


National Museum of American History - 1854 - Walter Hunt’s Patent Model of a Sewing Machine


Wikipedia - Walter Hunt (inventor)


Wikipedia - Elias Howe


Wikipedia - Isaac Singer


Biography.com - Isaac Singer


American Business History Center - The Sordid Saga of Mr. Singer and his Sewing Machine


Wikipedia - Winnaretta Singer


Wikipedia - Overlock


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