FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-132

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 12, 2026) – In Fun with Maps today, we sew it all up with a story about a machine that keeps us in stitches.

STITCHING

Isaac Singer was granted a US Patent for his sewing machine 175 years ago, on August 12, 1851.

While many other sewing machine patents were granted previously, Singer’s was more practical and appropriate for home use machines.  Nonetheless, Singer and other patent holders, each accusing the others of patent infringement, met to settle their differences.  What came out was the first patent pool, whereby they joined forces, using each other’s patents and formed the I. M. Singer & Company.  The rest is history.

Singer was a colorful character.  He ran away from home at age 12 to join a traveling stage act.  He drifted then between being a serial inventor, including wood and metal cutting machines, and being an actor.  He eventually settled on the sewing machine business.

Singer fathered 26 children among five wives and mistresses.  Each of the living children received a part of his $13 million fortune upon his passing.

He was born in eastern New York, hence here is a map of the state by Tanner from 1847.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Be sure to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.