Objectnummer
81/27/1-2
Vervaardiger
Beschrijving
A sewing machine made by Salter's and know as the Ideal Sewing Machine with UK Patent 30264. It includes instructions and metal container cover. The machine sits on a wooden base. There is also a clamp to fix the machine to the table. The machine produces a chain stitch and has a walking cloth feed. Part of the Barnett Collection (81/25-81/143) which illustrates the history of the sewing machine. Nothing is known about this machine's specific history.
Invented in the early 19th century, the sewing machine sped up the process of making clothes both domestically and commercially. Within the home, it reduced the amount of time women spent tailoring clothes for their families, enabling them to craft more garments for sale. Due to the sewing machine, the clothing industry flourished, with different fashions becoming available for the middle classes. However, workers did not see an increase in wages and they suffered in dreadful working conditions. The demand for better wages formed an important arm of the suffragette movement.
Fysieke kenmerken
1 sewing machine and lid: metal, wood
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>Part of the Barnett Collection of Sewing Machines // James Nutcombe Barnett was a University of Reading member of staff from 1964, working for the Department of Cybernetics and Engineering, until his death on October 4th 1978. The sewing machines were bequeathed to the university and became part of the Museum of English Rural Life collection in 1981. // The descriptions below include: manufacturer's name, model, use and when available a date. // ... Third Shelf // … 81/27 Ideal, Bristol, 20th C</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Archiefgeschiedenis
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Sewing Machine // Accession number: 81/27 // Classification: // Negative number: // Acquisition method: // Acquired from, date: Barnett Collection // Store: // Condition: // Recorder, date: DJE // Description: 'Ideal' sewing machine UK patent 30264. // includes instructions and metal container. // Dimensions: // Associated information: Machines called 'Ideal' were made in USA by Davis Co. and by White Co. in 20thc, but this one is Bristol made. // References: G Rogers Cooper, The Sewing Machine, Washington DC, 1976 p.181', Barnett Collection Review (2011) - 'This British-made 'Ideal' machine is almost identical to MERL 81/37. MERL 81/27 is the superior example. It is in slightly poorer physical condition but is more complete and contains the instruction booklet. There is additional information in the accession file.', MERL Miscellaneous Note - In 1910, Leslie Salter from London hoped that a new sewing machine design, boasting an oscillating hook mechanism, would find success. However, the challenging nature of the oscillating hook meant that Salter’s ‘Ideal Sewing Machine Company’ did not launch until 1921. Although they were sold at luxury stores such as Selfridges, the machines were generally poor quality and the company was forced to close in 1922. Salter’s failure demonstrates the difficulty British entrepreneurs had in entering a sewing machine marketed dominated by foreign companies, particularly Singer. [Added by Tim Jerrome for the Barnett Project, 2022]
Vervaardiging plaats
Greater London [region]
Datum
1921 - 1925
Objectnaam
Materiaal
Formaat
- Length 270 mm
- Width 145 mm
- Height 165 mm