Figure 48. — Hever's pocket sewing machine patent 

 model, November 17, 1863. This patent model is 

 one piece, and measures about two inches in height 

 and two inches in length. It will stitch — but only 

 coarse, loosely woven fabrics. As can be expected, 

 a great deal of manual dexterity is required to 

 compensate for the omission of mechanical parts. 

 Heyer advertised patent rights for sale, but evidence 

 of manufactured machines of this type has yet to 

 be discovered. (Smithsonian photo 18115-D[a].) 



Figure 49. — Heyer's machine as illustrated in Sci- 

 eniifa American, July 30, 1864. The smallest and 

 most original of all the attempts to simplify machine 

 sewing, Heyer's machine, which made a chain- 

 stitch, was constructed of a single strip of metal. 

 The Scientific American stated: "It is simply a steel 

 spring ingeniously bent and arranged and it is 

 said to sew small articles very well. The whole 

 affair can easily be carried in the coat pocket." 



One method of operation, vibrating with the 

 linger, was illustrated. The machine could be 

 operated also by holding it in the hand and pres- 

 suring it between two fingers. Cloth was inserted 

 at c, and the prongs of the spring feed / carried it 

 along after each stitch. It was stated that the 

 needle could be cut from the same strip of metal, 

 but it was advised also that the needle could be 

 made as a separate piece and attached. (Smith- 

 sonian photo 48221.) 



%V 



Figure 50. — Although Bean's and Rodgers' run- 

 ning-stitch machines, the second and fourth U.S. 

 sewing-machine patents, experienced little com- 

 mercial success, small manufactured machines 

 based on Aaron Palmer's patent of May 13, 1862, 

 were popular in the 1860s. The patent model 

 above is a small brass implement with crimping 

 gears that forced the fabric onto an ordinary sewing 

 needle. The full needle was then removed from 

 its position, and the thread was pulled through the 

 fabric by hand. (Smithsonian photo 45524.) 



52 



