Isaac Singer, American Inventor

Undated photograph of Singer and unidentified man. Isaac Merritt Singer (October 27, 1811 - July 23, 1875) was an American inventor, actor, and entrepreneur. His brother had a machine shop, and he went to work there, and learned the machinist trade that would become the basis of his fame and fortune. He made important improvements in the design of the sewing machine and was the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Many had patented sewing machines before Singer, but his success was based on the practicality of his machine, the ease with which it could be adapted to home use, and its availability on an installment payment basis. He expanded into the European market, becoming one of the first American-based multinational corporations, with agencies in Paris and Rio de Janeiro. By 1860, Isaac had fathered and recognized eighteen children (sixteen of them still living), by four women. He died in 1875 at the age of 63

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1811 Affordable Entrepreneur Isaac Machinist Merritt Multinational

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