††In 1830 a Frenchman named Barthelemy Thimonnier invented and installed eighty sewing machines in his workshop. However, his premises were later attacked and destroyed by tailors who feared a loss of business. The first locksmith machine was invented independently in the United States by Walter Hunt in 1834 and Elias Howe in 1846. The first sewing machine to have the general form of a modern one was produced by the American Isaac M. Singer in 1851. Machines are still sold under the Singer brand name today. Modern sewing machines are controlled by a microprocessor. As many as 25 different sewing patterns can be selected at the push of a button.
