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White Sewing MachinesDuring the 1860s, Thomas H White began producing a small, hand operated, single thread (chain stitch) sewing machine. By the last two decades of the 19th century, he had incorporated his business as the White Sewing Machine Co., and was manufacturing double thread (lockstitch) machines, and timesaving attachments for ruffling, tucking, cording, and braiding.
In 1900, the White Sewing Machine Co. perfected and introduced its hallmark, the full rotary mechanism. In that same year they were credited with another precedent-setting achievement, the industry's first furniture-style cabinets. Sewing machines continued being made to roughly the same design, with more lavish decoration appearing until well into the 1900s when the first electric machines started to appear. At first these were standard machines with a motor strapped on the side. As more homes gained power, these became more popular and the motor was gradually introduced into the casing. By the 1920s, these electric machines were reasonably commonplace. The depression years of the '30s renewed interest in home sewing. During this decade White introduced its course "The Art of Sewing and Dress Creation". Included at no extra charge with the purchase of a White Rotary Electric Sewing Machine, this class was taught by White home economists that traveled from region to region. At the end of world war II, there was a tremendous demand for consumer goods including sewing machines. In the '50s, the zizag stitch became a popular feature, and open arm models were introduced. By the late 70s, the first computer sewing machines started to appear. Modern machines are computer controlled and use stepper motors or sequential cams to achieve very complex patterns. Most of these are now made in Asia and the market is becoming more specialized, as fewer families own a sewing machine. also see:Sewing Sewing Machine
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