Though he was not the pioneer inventor of the sewing machine, German-American Isaac Merritt Singer was credited with creating the most commercially viable and successful model of the machine in 1851, which was named after him. I.M. Singer & Company exported their sewing machines abroad and established itself as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sewing machines by 1860. The popularity of the Singer sewing machine played a part in some of the revolutionary developments in the fashion and garment industries. Its efficiency contributed to the mass production of ready-made clothing and also allowed industrious home seamstresses to earn more money. The ubiquitous Singer sewing machine became an essential home appliance for homemakers, from the late 19th century up till the 1970s.
