Cambridge Innovations - The Sewing Machine

Did you know that the sewing machine was invented in Cambridge? Not by Singer, but by Elias Howe. Howe had been born lame and struggled to make a living as a laborer. Often unable to work, he watched his wife earn extra money as a seamstress and dreamed of creating a machine that could take the labor out of the work. He was able to convince Cantabrigian George Fisher to finance his work and set about creating the machine. By July of 1845 he had created a machine and sewn two suits, one for George Fisher and one for him. What followed was years of struggle, poverty, fraud, theft, and, eventually, victory. It is a long story, but a fascinating example of a person rising from a meager beginning, overcoming huge obstacles, and eventually winning fame and fortune. Our Spring Benefit will explore the history of Elias Howe and the other innovations that have come from Cambridge. Join us on May 20th to learn more about how Cambridge inventions have changed the world. For more details or to buy tickets visit:  www.cambridgehistory.org/calendar/innovation