The Home Sewing Machine

Home Excels All Others
Lithographic Poster, ca. 1877
Prints & Photographs Division (201.3)

The sewing machine was the first widely distributed appliance for use in the home. In 1860 more than 110,000 sewing machines were sold in the United States alone. Their ubiquity spawned an pattern industry. The Home machine and shuttle powered by a means of a foot treadle patented by Thomas H. White and William L. Grout in 1870 was first marketed to the public in 1877 through advertising poster like this one.