Figure 45. — Many inventors attempted to cut the 

 cost of manufacturing a complicated machine. 

 One of these was Albert H. Hook, whose machine is 

 only about four inches high and two inches wide. 

 His patent, granted November 30, 1858, simplified 

 the construction and arrangement of the various 

 parts. Although Hook used a barbed needle 

 reminiscent of the one used by Thimonnier, his 

 method of forming the stitch was entirely different. 

 The thread was passed through the necessary- 

 guides, and when the cloth was in place the needle 

 was thrust up from below. Passing through the 

 fabric, the needle descended, carrying with it a 

 loop of thread. As the process was repeated, a 

 chainstitch was formed with the enchained loop on 

 the under side. In spite of its simple mechanism, 

 Hook's machine was not a commercial success. 

 (Smithsonian photo 45505-D.) 



Figure 46. — In addition to mechanical patents, a 

 number of design patents were also issued for 

 sewing machines. These fall into a separate series 

 in the Patent Office's numerical records. This 

 unusual example featured two semidraped female 

 figures holding the spool of thread, a mermaid 

 holding the needle, a serpent which served as the 

 presser foot, and a heart-shaped baster plate. The 

 design was patented by W. N. Brown, October 25. 

 1859, but no examples other than the patent model 

 are known to have been made. (Smithsonian 

 photo 45504-A.) 



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