Fiddlebase
LANCASHIRE SEWING MACHINE COMPANY
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...The sewing machine was first introduced into these countries in 1846, when a patent was obtained for the invention, which we derive from the other side of the Atlantic ; but this first attempt was found to be too complicated for ordinary use. Several modifications were subsequently made, until in 1851 the Lancashire Sewing Machine Company was formed and short as is the time since the first patent was taken out, we are informed that so rapidly have subsequent improvements been made that the Company just named has thirteen patents...
The Irish Industrial Exhibition of 1853 Catalogue
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needle & shuttle, lock stitch sewing machine
QUESTIONS
How Thomas was in possession of a british patent exactly to the one Morey just filed at the American Patent Office in April same year (1848)?
Why Thomas did not exhibit the Howe's sewing machine at the London Exhibition in 1851?
What relation between Mr. Spackman of Belfast, Messrs. Nicoll of Regent Street, Mr. Hayden of the United States of America and Mr. Judkins an American located in Manchester.
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In July 1852 Judkins' sewing machines (according what stated by him) were introduced and put to practical work under his patent which was taken out for England, Ireland and Scotland and these machines were being successfully used in some of the largest clothing, staymaking, furniture and sack making establishments in London.
August 10, 1852 Edward Joseph Hughes GB 14.256
1854 (Jan.). This patent is now property of the Lancashire Sewing Machine Company and Judkins as Agent at 35 Corporation Street, Manchester.
Was Mr. Hyden proprietor of this patent?
October 16, 1852 Charles Tiot Judkins GB 413
Three legs, needle & shuttle, two threads, vertical or up and down motion feeding lock stitch sewing machine
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GB 14.328 Newton's Specification October 19, 1852
vertical or up and down motion feeding
two needles, two threads,
double chain stitch (Grover & Baker stitch) sewing machine
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William Mason
Walter Overton
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In January 1853 Mr. W. Spackman of Belfast, introduced a sewing machines into England and it is worked by D.W. Hayden of the United States of America, one of the proprietors of The Lancashire Sewing Machine Company.
In April 27, 1853, William Frederick Thomas took out a patent (GB1.026/1853). Mr. W. F. Thomas, son of Mr. William Thomas, the owner of the Howe Patent and a man of great ingenuity, saw the means of applying this motion in another and a very different manner to an equally new and distinct form of the sewing machine.
In May 1853 Mr. W. Spackman exhibited the sewing machine at the Irish Industrial Exhibition. (Singer or Singer system)
The agents Messrs. Nicholl (Nicoll), the extensive clothiers of Regent Street, exhibited ( the last day of the Dublin Exhibition) to Her Majesty and Prince coats entirely completed by the sewing machine ( the buttons and buttons-holes alone excepted). (Grover, Baker & Co.)
By June 1853, Mr. William Darling of 94 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh, was appointed by the Patentees to sell their sewing machines in Scotland. (Grover, Baker & Co.)
In July and August 1853, The LANCASHIRE SEWING MACHINE was exhibited in use and explained daily at the ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
From September 20, 1853, The Lancashire Sewing Machine Company are supplying the Public with their Patent Sewing Machines. Charles T. Judkins Agent for the Company.
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THE SEWING MACHINE
There is now being exhibited in the Dublin Exhibition a sewing machine, which promises in coarser kinds of work to soon supersede this branch of labor, now giving employment to large numbers of both sexes. This new application of mechanical ingenuity was first introduced into this countries in 1846, when a patent was obtained for the invention which we derive from the other side of the Atlantic; but this first attempt was found to be too complicated for ordinary use.
Several modifications were subsequently made, until, in 1851, the Lancashire Sewing Machine Company was formed and short as is the time since the first patent was taken out, we are informed that so rapidly have subsequent improvements been made that the company just named has thirteen patents, the machine in the Exhibition being founded on several of these patents. It is certainly efficient in its operations and not likely to get out of order. In using the sewing machine, the cloth to be sown is cut and basted as if for ordinary hand sewing. It is then placed in a moveable champ under the needle and as the needle passes through the cloth and returns having made a stitch, the cloth is moved forward a given distance, corresponding with the desired length of a stitch. The needle is firmly fixed in a portion of the machine that moves up and down to make the stitches and it is provided with a groove on each side which the thread occupies, the eye being removed but a small distance from the point. The grooves secure the thread from being chafed or worn, as is the case with ordinary hand-sewing. The portion of the thread passed through the cloth is only sufficient to make the stitch. There is a small shuttle working horizontally below the cloth, in connection with the upright needle and thread and after the needle passes through the cloth it rises sufficiently to allow the shuttle to pass freely through the loop thus formed and made above the eye, after which the needle is withdrawn, catching the thread from the shuttle and drawing it into the centre of the cloth. The two threads stand in the relation to each other of the links of a chain, in the centre of the cloth, while both sides present a similar appearance, the seam being like that of a saddler or shoe maker. The tension on each stitch is equal, the thread is not chafed and consequently the sewing is in every respect equal if not superior to that performed by hand. By a simple contrivance the amount of tension may be regulated at pleasure, that is, the threads may be pulled firmly or slightly as desired. That irregularity in sewing, proceeding from the stitches not being placed in the same right line and which is so objectionable both as regards the strength and appearance of the seam when stretched, is entirely avoided by machine sewing, a circumstance which in itself is a most important advantage. The machine may be worked by the hand (a handle being turned around), or a band may be used wherever there is machinery in motion. It requires only a space of about three square feet to stand on and it may easily be carried about by one hand. The amount of work performed will depend on the speed at which it is driven and hence may vary from 500 to 1.000 stitches per minute, from which data the powers of the machine may be easily estimated. The Sewing Machine is, in fact, one of the triumphs of the age and the excellence of its work is not more to be admired than its extreme simplicity when examined. It is, consequently, but little liable to go out of order and is besides constructed on the antifriction principle. In one or two days an intelligent attendant can be taught to work it and when set at work, the only attention required is to look after the direction of the seam.
The Machine in the Exhibition is exhibited by Mr Spackman, of Belfast and it is worked by Mr Hayden, one of the proprietors of the Lancashire Company. The sewing machine may be effectively used for all ordinary needlework. It will make up an entire garment with the exception of sewing on the buttons and working the button holes. It will get through the work with equal facility whether the material be light or heavy; hence we may conclude that its application, in the first instance, will be to the coarser description of work, which is at all times difficult to execute by hand labour. Stitching of corsets, making up of sacks and carpets, sewing vamps of boots and shoes, may, for example, be done by the machine quite as well as by the hand. The stitches, moreover, will be of a uniform length and the tension of the thread on each part will be constant, which is not always the case in sewing by hand. It is immaterial whether the seam be in a right line or curved, as the attendant has the direction of this completely under his own control.
Kings County Chronicle - Wednesday 17 August 1853
Company's Offices:
2 Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, London.
36 Blackfriars, Manchester.
Eventually Mr. Judkins managed to exhibit both machines at the
Irish Industrial Exhibition
July 1853 Company's Depots and Offices:
2 Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, London.
35 Corporation Street, Manchester.
From July 1853, The LANCASHIRE SEWING MACHINE was exhibited at the ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION
In September 1853, The LANCASHIRE SEWING MACHINE COMPANY was supplying the Public with their sewing machine(s). Other parties were authorized to sell the said Machines.
Company's Depots and Offices:
35 Corporation Street, Manchester.
2 Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, London.
16 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow.
37 College Green, Dublin.
Machine No. 2.
Three legs, two needles, two threads, double loop or double chain stitch sewing machine
...he (Mr. Judkins), after the close of the Exhibition the night previous to the Royal visit, brought into the building an “improved” machine and coat made by it, which I was informed by him was to be presented to Prince Albert. On my remonstrating on this injustice, I was then told “ the machine and coat had been shown to Prince Albert, at Buckingham Palace, a few days ago and had been both presented to him and that it was his special request that the machine and coat should be conveyed to the Exhibition to meet his Royal Highness there”...
W. Spackman (1853)
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...included in its specification the machines known in America as the Grover & Baker and the Singer Manufacturing or No. 2 machine. To the former was given the name of the " Lancashire " and it is known by it to this day...
William Newton Wilson (Jan. 1892)
Singer "System"
needle & shuttle, two threads, lock stitch
Grover , Baker & Co. "System"
Three legs, two needles, two threads, Grover&Baker stitch
January 1854
The Patent GB 14.256 (Edward Joseph Hughes) granted in August 10, 1852 is now property of the Lancashire Sewing Machine Company and Judkins as Agent at 35 Corporation Street, Manchester.
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Four legs, two needles, two threads, Grover & Baker stitch?
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