1902 papers relating to the
botanical collections of the Museum of Natural History have been
published in the _Bulletin_ series under the heading _Contributions from
the United States National Herbarium_ and, since 1959, in _Bulletins_
titled "Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology," have
been gathered shorter papers relating to the collections and research of
that Museum.

This work forms volume 254 of the _Bulletin_ series.

Frank A. Taylor
_Director, United States National Museum_

For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402--Price $2.75

_Contents_

Preface vii

Acknowledgments viii

1. Early Efforts 1

2. Elements of a Successful Machine 17

3. The "Sewing-Machine Combination" 39

4. Less Expensive Machines 43

Appendixes 55

I. Notes on the Development and Commercial
Use of the Sewing Machine 57

II. American Sewing-Machine Companies of the
19th Century 65

III. Chronological List of U.S. Sewing-Machine
Patent Models in the Smithsonian Collections 125

IV. 19th-Century Sewing Machine Leaflets in the
Smithsonian Collections 134

V. A Brief History of Cotton Thread 135

VI. Biographical Sketches 137

Bibliography 144

Indexes 147

Geographical Index to Companies Listed in Appendix II 149

Alphabetical Index to Patentees Listed in Appendix III 151

General Index to Chapters 1-4 155

_Preface_

It had no instrument panel with push-button controls. It was not
operated electronically or jet-propelled. But to many 19th-century
people the sewing machine was probably as awe-inspiring as a space
capsule is to their 20th-century descendants. It was expensive, but,
considering the work it could do and the time it could save, the cost
was more than justified. The sewing machine be