Figure 131. — Willcoxand Giebs sewing machine, serial 

 number 296572, of about 1878. From 1857 to the turn of the 

 century, the style of the Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine 

 changed very little (fig. 39). It was the most popular 

 and the most reliable of the many chainstitch machines. In 

 addition to the basic mechanical patents. Gibbs also 

 patented the design of the sewing-machine head in 1860. 

 In the specifications, he described it as an open ring set on 

 a base or pedestal. The lower part of the open section sup- 

 ported the cloth plate. The design of the head, intentionally 

 or not. formed a perfect letter G, the initial of the inventor. 

 Later the machine head as a letter G was incorporated into 

 the company's trademark. Additional patents were also 

 granted to James Willcox for a leg and treadle design and to 

 Charles Willcox for mechanical improvements. 



It has not been possible to secure information on records 

 of serial numbers from the late 1870s through the 1920s to 

 aid in dating machines of that period. For the preceding 



years, however, the machines may be dated approximately 

 as follows: 



Although the Willcox and Gibbs company is still in ex- 

 istence, for the past several decades the company has limited 

 itself to the production of specialized manufacturing ma- 

 chines rather than family machines. (Smithsonian photo 

 58986.) 



121 



