What essential features did Isaac Singer perfect to enable consistent, high-speed machine utility?
Answer
An upright needle bar and a presser foot
While Elias Howe developed the core lockstitch concept, Isaac Singer made crucial advancements that made the machine truly practical for sustained, high-speed commercial use. His key contributions included perfecting the mechanics to allow for consistency, specifically by introducing the upright needle bar, which ensured precise vertical movement of the needle, and incorporating a presser foot. The presser foot was vital as it held the fabric firmly down against the feed mechanism, preventing the material from shifting or puckering during rapid operation, which was necessary for achieving utility in manufacturing.
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