Object number
81/74
Collection
Creator
Description
This is a W. Taylor sewing machine, with patent number 32578. This machine has a cross belt drive. The machine dates to circa 1873. The machine has a shuttle following an ellipitcal path and produces a lockstitch. The metal machine has worn gold decoration and scrolled feet. The object is part of the Barnett Collection.
Invented in the early 19th century, the sewing machine sped up the process of making clothes both domestically and commercially. Within the home, it reduced the amount of time women spent tailoring clothes for their families, enabling them to craft more garments for sale. Due to the sewing machine, the clothing industry flourished, with different fashions becoming available for the middle classes. However, workers did not see an increase in wages and they suffered in dreadful working conditions. The demand for better wages formed an important arm of the suffragette movement.
Physical description
1 sewing machine: metal, wood, leather
Label Text
Part of the Barnett Collection of Sewing Machines // James Nutcombe Barnett was a University of Reading member of staff from 1964, working for the Department of Cybernetics and Engineering, until his death on October 4th 1978. The sewing machines were bequeathed to the university and became part of the Museum of English Rural Life collection in 1981. // The descriptions below include: manufacturer's name, model, use and when available a date. // ... Top Shelf // ... 81/74 Taylor, cross belt drive long shuttle type, c. 1873.
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Sewing machine // Accession number: 81/74 // Classification: // Negative number: // Acquisition method: // Acquired from, date: Barnett Collection // Store: // Condition: // Recorder, date: JVB. 27.7.81 // Description: W Taylor Sewing Machine Patent 32578 Dimensions: // Associated information: // References: Barnett catalogue No 26a + 26b', Citation in publication [E.J. Barnett, ‘Sewing machines: a catalogue of the Barnett collection’ ([Reading]: University of Reading, 1982] – ‘26a // Taylor Patent machine // This is of the long shuttle type, but the inventor presumably failed to realise that the return stroke of the shuttle occurred when the needle was up and in consequence has made the shuttle follow an elliptical path. This makes for a somewhat unnecessary complication, although the machine works quite well. // 26b // Shuttle mechanism’ (pp. 19), Printed Report – Ray Batchelor 15 February 1983 - MUSEUM OF ENGLISH RURAL LIFE, UNIVERSITY OF READING. // … 81/74 Taylor’s Patent Sewing Machine. // This machine has the cross belt drive rather than the rubber friction tyre that replaced it. c1873., Barnett Collection Review (2011) - 'This machine was probably made in the UK in the 1870s. It was produced by William Taylor of Driffield, Yorkshire, who patented this model. Taylor had a strong collaboration with Lippman and Lund of Hamburg. This particular machine is a classic example of a small, fine and ornate machine that was not very functional.', MERL Miscellaneous Note - Despite starting a career as a bank clerk, William Taylor’ inventive talents were well suited to the sewing machine industry. He was granted patents for a unique shuttle movement, which did not vibrate but rather moved in an ellipses. Consequently, it was much quieter than other machines of the time. Taylor also copied Singer’s policies for selling machines, including hire purchase, to make them more affordable. His company was based in Driffield, and it closed in 1879. It is unknown why this occurred, but as a result, Taylor machines are now rarer than those of other companies. [Added by Tim Jerrome for the Barnett project, 2022]
Production date
1873 - 1873
Object name
Material
Dimensions
- Length 360 mm
- Height 270 mm
- Depth 210 mm
Associated subject
