1846: Elias Howe patents the first practical sewing machine and threads his way into the fabric of history. French tailor Barthelemy Thimonnier patented a device in 1830 that mechanized the ...

On September 10, 1846, Elias Howe was awarded the first U.S. patent for a sewing machine using a lockstitch design. Even though Howe was a poor businessman, he did go on to enjoy the benefits of ...

So, amid the din of bigger news, passed Elias Howe, virtually forgotten in his own lifetime — and almost unknown in ours. Jim Albanese can be reached at jimalbanese700@yahoo.com.