The company dominated the global sewing market for a century, from its inception in 1851 up until the 1950s. Singer and Co became the Singer Manufacturing Company and then the Singer Company. Though Singer died in 1875, the company he founded continued to thrive. Who knew the world of sewing machines was so scandalous? By the end of his life, he had fathered 22 children with five different women. In the 1860s, he had to step down from the leadership of his own company because of the scandal brewing over his affairs. He continued this habit even more ostentatiously after he gained fame and wealth as a businessman.

He designed and drove around in a bright yellow carriage that could seat more than thirty people to show off his wealth later in his life!ĭuring his itinerant life as an actor, he embroiled himself in relationships with multiple women at the same time. His extravagant personality did not fade away when he achieved success as a businessman later in life. The son of an immigrant, Isaac began his career as a Shakespearean actor. You may also find it interesting that Isaac Merritt Singer’s personal life was as flamboyant as his business ideas! Sewing machine innovation and the industrial revolution hit their peak in the mid 19th century. Singer seized upon a radical business model at the perfect time. The company also used a hefty door-to-door sales campaign and frequent model updates to keep customers buying new models. The company continued to develop accessible and more portable models over the years. Singer also marketed the need for a sewing machine in every home. Before this, only factories and companies owned sewing machines. This made sewing machines affordable to the average person. What did he do that was so different? He launched the first popular installment payment plan for his machines.

But it was his business model that made the company a success. Singer did design and patent excellent modifications to the accepted design. Instead, he made modifications to a patented design invented by a man named Elias Howe. Contrary to popular thought, he did not invent the first domestic sewing machine. By Paolo Monti CC BY-SA 4.0 History of Singer Sewing Machinesįirst sold in 1850 and still popular today, Singer sewing machines have a long and quite lively history.

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