Figure 59. — Shank's patent bubbin winder. 187(1. 

 (Smithsonian photo P-6398.) 



Figure 60. — Sweet's patent binder, 1853. 

 (Smithsonian photo P-6396.) 



Figure 61. — Spoul's patent braid guide, 1! 

 (Smithsonian photo P-63102.) 



industries. The repetitive need for machine needles, 

 the development of various types of attachments to 

 simplify the many sewing tasks, and the ever-increas- 

 ing need for more and better sewing thread — the 

 sewing machine consumed from two to five times 

 as much thread as stitching by hand — created new 

 manufacturing establishments and new jobs. 



The method of manufacturing machine needles 

 did not differ appreciably from the method used in 



Figure 62. — Rose's patent embroiderer, 

 (Smithsonian photo P-6399.) 



Figure 63. — Harris' patent buttonhole attachment, 

 1882. (Smithsonian phot.. P-63103.) 



making the common sewing needle, but the latter 

 had never become an important permanent industry 

 in the United States. Since the manufacture of 

 practical sewing machines was essentially an American 

 development and the eye-pointed needle a vital 

 component of the machine, it followed that the 

 manufacture of needles would also develop here. 

 Although such a manufacture was established in 

 1852, 83 foreign imports still supplied much of the 



93 Chari.es M. Karch, "Needles: Historical and Descrip- 

 tive," in Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900, vol. 10, 

 Manufactures, Part 4, Special Reports on Selected Industries 

 (United States Census Office: Washington, D.C., 1902), pp. 

 429-432. 



61 



