40 Popular Items That Used to Look Completely Different in the Past

Elias Howe Jr. is credited with inventing the world’s first mechanized sewing machine. Howe invented and patented his mechanical machine in 1846 after observing his wife hand-sew items as a way to make money for their poverty-stricken family. Howe was constantly improving upon his original design. This model is from 1860.

Many of us think of giant sewing machines when we think of vintage models. However, this one is pretty small, all things considered! This early sewing machine model was by no means perfect, but it marked the beginning of the modern lockstitch sewing machine. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Howe’s creative thinking almost 200 years ago.