Details

Name

Willcox and Gibbs

Brief Biography

founded 1857, American

Occupation

Sewing Machine Manufacturer

Description

Willcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded by Charles and James Willcox and James Gibbs (1829-1902) of Virginia, USA, in 1857, patenting a rotary-hook single-thread chain-stitch sewing machine. Between 1857-1948 the firm contracted Brown and Sharpe to manufacture their sewing machines. A branch office opened at 135 Regent Street, London, in 1859. In 1875 the firm introduced a automatic noiseless sewing machine and Visible Straw Hat industrial sewing machine. The Seaming and Trimming industrial sewing machine was introduced in 1881. It could sew and edge hosiery at a rate of 3,000 stitches per minute. In 1887 they introduced the Hand Stitch Straw Hat industrial sewing machine, and the Overstitch Corded Edging industrial sewing machine for lace-curtain making in 1894. The High Speed Lock-stitch industrial sewing machine was introduced in 1899 and was able to do 4,000 stitches per minute.