Elias Howe Inventor of the Sewing Machine

Elias Howe Jr. (1819–1867) was an inventor of one of the first working sewing machines. This Massachusetts man began as an apprentice in a machine shop and came up with an important combination of elements for the first lock stitch sewing machine. But rather than making and selling machines, Howe made his fortune by initiating court suits against his competitors who he felt had infringed on his patents. Elias Howe Biography Known for: Invention of the lockstitch sewing machine  in 1846Born: July 9, 1819, in Spencer, Massachusetts  Parents: Polly and Elias Howe, Sr.Education: No formal educationDied: October 3, 1867, in Brooklyn, NYSpouse: Elizabeth Jennings HoweChildren: Jane Robinson, Simon Ames, Julia MariaFun Fact: Although he could not afford to build a working model of his machine without financial backing, he died an enormously wealthy man with two million dollars ($34 million in todays money).   Early Life Elias Howe Jr. was born in Spencer, Massachusetts on July 9, 1819. His father Elias Howe Sr. was a farmer and a miller, and he and his wife Polly had eight children. Elias attended some primary school, but at the age of six, he gave up school to help his brothers make cards used to manufacture cotton. At 16, Howe took his first full-time job as a machinists apprentice, and in 1835 he moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, to work in the textile mills. He lost his job when the economic crash of 1837 closed the mills, and he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts to work in a business which carded hemp. In 1838, Howe moved to Boston, where he found work in a machinists shop. In 1840, Elias married Elizabeth Jennings Howe, and they had three children, Jane Robinson Howe, Simon Ames Howe, and Julia Maria Howe. In 1843, Howe began work on a new sewing machine.  Howes machine was not the first sewing machine: The first patent for a chain stitch machine was issued to an Englishman named Thomas Sant in 1790, and in 1829, Frenchman Barthelemy Thimonnier invented and patented a machine which used a modified chain stitch, and manufactured 80 working sewing machines. Thimonniers business came to an end when 200 tailors rioted, ransacked his factory and smashed the machines. Invention of the Sewing Machine In point of fact, however, the sewing machine cannot truly be said to have been invented by any one person. Instead, it was the result of numerous incremental and complementary inventive contributions. To create a working sewing machine, one needed: The ability to sew a lock stitch. Common to all modern machines today, a lock stitch connects two separate threads, top and bottom, to form a secure and straight seam.  A needle with an eye in the pointed endA shuttle to carry the second thread  A continuous source of thread (a spool)A horizontal tableAn arm overhanging the table that contains a vertically-positioned needleA continuous feed of cloth, synchronized with the movements of the needle  Tension controls for the thread to give slack when neededA presser foot to hold the cloth in place with each stitchThe ability to sew in either straight or curved lines The first of these elements invented was the eye-pointed needle, which was patented at least as early as the mid-18th century, and as many as five more times afterward. Howes technological contribution was to mechanize a lock stitch by building a process with an eye-pointed needle and a shuttle to carry the second thread. He made his fortune, however, not by manufacturing sewing machines, but as a patent troll—someone who flourishes by suing those who were manufacturing and selling machines based in part on his patent.  Ã‚   Howes Contribution to the Sewing Machine Howe got his idea from overhearing a conversation between an inventor and a businessman, talking about what a great idea the sewing machine was, but how difficult it was to achieve. He decided to attempt to mechanize the movements of his wifes hands as she sewed a chain stitch. Chain stitches were made with a single thread and loops to create the seams. He watched her carefully and made several attempts, all of which failed. After a year, Howe came to the conclusion that although he could not replicate the particular stitch his wife was using, he could add a second thread to lock the stitches together—the lock stitch. It was not until late in 1844 that he was able to plan out a way to mechanize the lock stitch, but he found he did not have the financial means to construct a model. Howe met and made a partnership with George Fisher, a Cambridge coal and wood merchant, who was able to give Howe both the financial support he needed, and a place to work on his new version. In May 1845, Howe had a working model and exhibited his machine to the public in Boston. Although some of the tailors were convinced that it would ruin the trade, the machines innovative characteristics eventually won their support. At 250 stitches a minute, Howes lock stitch mechanism out-stitched the output of five hand seamstresses with a reputation for speed, completing in one hour what took the sewers 14.5 hours. Elias Howe took out US Patent 4,750 for his lock stitch sewing machine on September 10, 1846, in New Hartford, Connecticut. The Sewing Machine Wars The first functional lockstitch sewing machine, invented by American Elias Howe in 1845. Hulton Archive / Getty Images In 1846, Howes brother Amasa went to England to meet William Thomas, a corset, umbrella, and valise manufacturer. This man eventually bought one of Howes prototype machines for  £250 and then paid Elias to come to England and run the machine for three pounds a week. It was not a good deal for Elias: At the end of nine months he was fired, and he returned to New York, penniless and having lost what was left during the voyage, to find his wife dying of consumption. He also discovered that his patent had been infringed. While Howe was in England, numerous advances on the technology occurred, and in 1849, his rival Isaac M. Singer was able to put all the elements together to make the first commercially viable machine—Singers machine could make 900 stitches in a minute. Howe went to Singers office and demanded $2,000 in royalties. Singer didnt have it, because they hadnt sold any machines yet.   In fact, none of the machines that had been invented were getting off the ground. There was a terrific amount of skepticism about the practicality of the machines, and there was a cultural bias against machinery in general (Luddites) and against women using machinery. Labor unions agitated against their use, as tailors could see these machines would put them out of business. And, Elias Howe, soon to be joined by other patent-owners, began suing for patent infringement and settling for licensing fees.  That process slowed the ability of manufacturers to make and innovate machines. Howe persisted and won his first court case in 1852. In 1853, 1,609 machines were sold in the U.S. In 1860, that number had risen to 31,105, the same year that Howe boasted he had gained $444,000 in profits from licensing fees, nearly $13.5 million in todays dollars.   The Sewing Machine Combination In the 1850s, manufacturers were inundated by court cases because there were too many patents which covered individual elements of the working machines. It wasnt just Howe who was suing; it was the owners of many of the smaller patents suing and countersuing one another. This situation is known as a patent thicket today. In 1856, attorney Orlando B. Potter, who represented Grover Baker, a sewing machine manufacturer who held a patent for a working chain stitch process, had a solution. Potter suggested that the relevant patent owners—Howe, Singer, Grover Baker, and the most prolific manufacturer of the era, Wheeler and Wilson—should combine their patents into a patent pool. Those four patent-holders collectively owned the patents that covered the 10 elements.  Each member of the Sewing Machine Combination would pay into a collective account a $15 license fee for each machine they produced. Those funds were used to build a war chest for ongoing external litigation, and then the rest would be split equitably among the owners. All of the owners agreed, except for Howe, who wasnt making any machines at all. He was convinced to join the consortium by the promise of a special royalty fee of $5 per machine sold in the United States, and $1 for every machine exported.   While the Combination faced its own issues, including accusations of being a monopoly, the number of litigated cases did drop and manufacturing of the machines began. Death and Legacy After successfully defending his right to a share in the profits of other sewing machine manufacturers, Howe saw his annual income jump from $300 to more than $2,000 dollars a year. During the Civil War, he donated a portion of his wealth to equip an infantry regiment for the Union Army and served in the regiment as a private. Elias Howe, Jr., died in Brooklyn, New York, on October 3, 1867, a month after his sewing machine patent expired. At the time of his death, his profits from his invention were estimated to total two million dollars, what would be $34 million today. A version of his innovative mechanization of the lock stitch is still available on most modern sewing machines. Sources Elias Howe, Jr. Geni. (2018).Jack, Andrew B. The Channels of Distribution for an Innovation: The Sewing-Machine Industry in America, 1860–1865. Explorations in Entrepreneurial History 9:113–114 (1957).Mossoff, Adam. The Rise and Fall of the First American Patent Thicket: The Sewing Machine War of the 1850s Arizona Law Review 53 (2011): 165–211. Print.Obituary: Elias Howe, Jr. The New York Times (October 5, 1867). Times Machine.Wagner, Stefan. Are Patent Thickets Smothering Innovation? Yale Insights, April 22, 2015. Web

The Modern Form Of Migrant Trafficking - 998 Words

The modern form of migrant trafficking emerged as a concomitant of the rapid globalization of world economies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when technological innovation allowed for greater ease of movement of information, goods, and people. In addition to technological advancements, economic interdependence brought about by cross-border flows of commodities, services and capital created new markets in industries like resource extraction, textiles, and service, among others. While globalization laid much of the groundwork for development in the 20th century, it also played a role in determining the outcomes of issues like the first and second World Wars, from which many of the first major modern national security threats arose. These emerging concerns about national security and â€Å"migrant threat† to domestic well-being caused many states to and adopt more restrictive policies regarding the movement of individuals across state boundaries. 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Utilitarian Ethical Thinkers- Unique Technology Established By Google

Question: Discuss about the Utilitarian Ethical Thinkers. Answer: The Scenario: The self-driving cars or autonomous cars of Google are a unique technology established by Google in which the cars do not need anyone to drive them. Rather, they have sensors that are specially designed to detect objects in all directions and the software attached thereon processes all the relevant information so that the car can navigate safely on the road without getting tired or bored at any point of time (Google Self-Driving Car Project, 2016). While on one hand, this is a noteworthy development yet, on the other hand, there are several ethical questions and dilemma associated with this. The Stakeholders: The essence is that who should be held liable whenever there is an accident caused by these self-drive cars. Is it the driver of the other vehicle into which this car crashes, or is it Google or is it the programmer who is controlling the software from some remote sensing technology? Ethical Issues: Of course, one can argue that these cars can be helpful in preventing road accidents that take away thousands of lives every year, but nevertheless, the accident caused by the self-driving cars of Google has imposed a question mark on this. The biggest problem arises when the car is made to choose between which lives to kill (Google's Autonomous Vehicle, 2016). This means that while on one hand, there is a situation that it can bump into four people on the road or to save those four lives, it needs to strike against a wall that would injure the passengers along with a pedestrian passing by. Non-Ethical Issues: Utilitarian ethical thinkers that only those who do the greatest good for the greatest number of people is something which is acceptable in ethics. Hence, as far as the accident caused by the autonomous cars of Google is in question, for the utilitarian thinkers, if the total number of accidents is brought down by them, then one accident shall not be a question on ethical standards. However, according to the utilitarian thinkers, there is an ethical consideration that needs to be taken into account whenever there is any accident on the liability issue (SUTTON, 2008). Software failure is very obvious in any technology and Google, and its cars cannot choose to remain immune from it. At a general level self-driving autos appear to make a situation where society is in an ideal situation overall. The makers of the Google self-driving auto have the objective of sparing a large number of lives by dispensing with vehicles related mishaps in the United States and the long run the World. Consequences: The expectation and last final result of fewer vehicles related passing's would be acknowledged in both a Deontological and Utilitarian structure because the purpose is to spare a large number of lives, and the finished result is the end auto collisions (Rachmilevitch, 2014). However, these philosophical systems could wander in their understanding at a lower level of examination. Ethical Analysis Consequentialism Consequentialists argue that ethics are spared when some lives are saved than those killed. They argue that as long as there is a net saving in the number of lives, the ethical result is positive. This has also been backed by several studies which also reveal that the audience is seemingly happier when the number of lives that are saved is much larger than the number of lives that are lost. However, this comes with an entirely different perspective on it (CUMMISKEY, 2009). For instance, if the autonomous cars of Google reduce traffic accidents and save about 1000 lives, which is not bad, however, in this process, if they put an end to another 900 lives, which would not be fair game to accept the trade. Just Consequentialism In this respect, the view of the consequentialist is that the number of lives that are saved should be at least twice the number of lives that are lost. However, this also directly and clearly implies that this is an entirely arbitrary line without any reference and no defense available to give proper justification. Thus, it was clearly pointed by (Franz, 2014) in this respect that it is extremely important in ethical considerations that autonomous cars should have experimental ethics along with them so that the estimation and the utilitarian aspects of the various implementations can be understood and given a proper way. Another ethical consideration that needs to be taken in this matter is about the utilitarian theory. Options: It needs to be noted that with every improvement or advancement in technology, comes a new challenge and it is on the people who accept the technology that how would they refute to the challenge (Business Insider, 2016). On the off chance that an accident is going to happen people will quite often have an ethical expectation of keeping away from the accident regardless of the fact that the accident is not kept away from (WIRED Think, 2016). A utilitarian would in any case likely support the self-ruling auto at this level because the self-driving auto will probably outperform the driver in maintaining a strategic distance from the accident altogether. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that the autonomous cars created by Google are perfect. They have certain ethical considerations that need to be taken into account, but this does not mean that because of these ethical violations, the entire technology should be ruled out from existence. There is always room available for the improvement, and it is anticipated that with every passing day, these minor faults in the technology can be worked upon, and this would leave it in no dilemma. Conclusions: Thus, in conclusion, it can be said that there cannot be much regard that is given to the ethical philosophy that should be chosen for the proliferation of the vehicles. Rather, the public needs to be convinced that these self-driven cars are much safer than the traditional cars and hence have a better future. Since people tend to control or avoid accidents, the drivers of the manually driving cars will automatically take better care while driving because of the stiff competition is given by the autonomous cars. References: Business Insider. (2016).The huge, unexpected ethical question that self-driving cars will have to tackle. [online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.in/The-huge-unexpected-ethical-question-that-self-driving-cars-will-have-to-tackle/articleshow/49546496.cms [Accessed 27 May 2016]. CUMMISKEY, D. (2009). Joseph Mendola, Goodness and Justice: A Consequentialist Moral Theory (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006), pp. ix + 326.Utilitas, 21(04), p.521. Franz, W. (2014). Hedonic and Utilitarian Motivations behind Shopping and Research Behaviors: Theory and Evidence.International Journal of Applied Behavioral Economics, 3(3), pp.17-30. Google Self-Driving Car Project. (2016).Google Self-Driving Car Project. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/ [Accessed 27 May 2016]. Google's Autonomous Vehicle. (2016).Ethics. [online] Available at: https://googlesautonomousvehicle.weebly.com/ethics.html [Accessed 27 May 2016]. Rachmilevitch, S. (2014). The Nash solution is more utilitarian than egalitarian.Theory and Decision, 79(3), pp.463-478. SUTTON, A. (2008). The Kantian and the consequentialist elements in Rawls's theory of justice.Theoria, 45(3), pp.135-140. WIRED, T. Think, T. (2016).The Ethics of Saving Lives With Autonomous Cars Is Far Murkier Than You Think. [online] WIRED. Available at: https://www.wired.com/2013/07/the-surprising-ethics-of-robot-cars/ [Accessed 27 May 2016].

Serenissima Trend Spring

Identify trend name, and give a brief description of the message behind this trend Serenissima (â€Å"the most serene†) represents an atmosphere that is romantic yet modern. The color palette of this trend primarily consists of purplish pinks, mint green and turquoise hues that remind a state of calmness. These colors can be applied to various appearances and fine materials such as ironwork, silk, tapestry, embroidery, jewelry, Murano along with many others.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Serenissima Trend: Spring-Summer 2016 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More More luxurious materials such as semi-precious stones, gems, and marbles are harmoniously combined with colors of this trend. Depending on the material, the same color may create an extremely different atmosphere. In general, the soft color palette of purple and green evokes a sense of modern femininity and decorativeness. The purpose of this trend is to represent the new side of beauty. Serenissima is influenced by two zeitgeists of two different epochs: Renaissance and Romanticism. Renaissance is famous for challenging religious visions and considerations. This period brought the idea of superiority of human mind and body. The attitude towards religion changed as people became more self-aware (Romanek 4). Tom Nichols considers Renaissance painting to be a visual poetry (75). The same is with Serenissima. This trend renders ideas of calm freedom. For example, the unity of the stylish mixture of flourishes, flowers, arabesques and intarsia of fine materials or wrought iron renders poetic meanings (â€Å"Serenissima. Surfaces Material Trends† n. pag.). Romanticism, on the contrary, emphasizes the significance of human emotions and celebrates human life (Shostak 38). Serenissima combines zeitgeists that glorify emotions and the human mind. This juxtaposition gives the new idea about modern beauty — beauty that seeks inspiration in two fundamental features of human nature. Describe the target market that this trend theme would apply to There is no doubt that the target audience of this trend is able to appreciate the magnificence of past. However, when identifying the target audience, it is necessary to think about age and income and education level (Porta par. 10). Thus, the trend would apply to individuals who are well-educated and understand at least basic concepts of epochs. Most representatives of this audience will be middle-aged people with middle and high socio-economic status. However, the notes of modernity and new romanticism would attract the younger audience as well. Sculptured transparencies and shininess would be attractive for youth who appreciates modern luxury (â€Å"Serenissima. Surfaces Material Trends† n. pag.). The trend will bond to people who know their goals in life and ways of their achievement. Serenissima is for those who can see something new in the juxtaposit ion of already existing ideas, thoughts, styles, and materials.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How might this theme relate to product categories and price-points? This theme may be realized in a variety of products. However, its power may be fully recognized in interior decorations. Colored transparency may be utilized for the embodiment of new ideas in furniture. Simple color schemes may be combined with textured and sculptural interior designs in 2016 (â€Å"Modern Interior Design Trends 2016 to Stay and Go Away† par. 3). The combination of purple and silver may be realized in closing and accessories. Shimmering and transparency can contribute to closing drastically as well. Laser cut and mini sculpture can comprise a significant source of the creation of home accessories (â€Å"Serenissima. Surfaces Material Trends† n. pag.). Price points for these product categories may b e accessible for middle-class representative due to the combination of expensive luxury materials and semi-precious materials. Nevertheless, the mastery needed for the creation of these products may be costly. Works Cited Modern Interior Design Trends 2016 to Stay and Go Away. n.d. Web. Nichols, Tom. Renaissance Art: A Beginner’s Guide. London, United Kingdom: Oneworld Publications, 2012. Print. Porta, Mandy. How to Define Your Target Market. 2010. Web. Romanek, Trudee. Great Ideas of the Renaissance. New York City, New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2009. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Serenissima Trend: Spring-Summer 2016 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Serenissima. Surfaces Material Trends. 2016 ed. Vol. 58. Milan: A+A Design Studio, 2014. N. pag. Print. Shostak, Art. Viable Utopian Ideas: Shaping a Better World. London, United Kingdom: Routledge, 2015. Print. This essay on Serenissima Trend: Spring-Summer 2016 was written and submitted by user Fallen One to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.