… was the first success at building a functional and lightweight model that could be used in homes and light industry! Built by French tailor Bartholemy Thimonnier, it had a hooked needle like one uses to crochet now, and could make an embroidery-like chain stitch.
The problem was, other tailors burned down his factory and nearly killed him. They didn’t want a machine that might replace them and their hand sewing techniques.
(Photo: Thimonnier and his 1830 machine)