James Edward Allen Gibbs

James Edward Allen Gibbs (1829–1902) was a farmer, inventor, and businessman from Rockbridge County in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.[1] On June 2, 1857, he was awarded a patent for the first twisted chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine using a rotating hook. In partnership with James Willcox, Gibbs became a principal in the Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company. Willcox & Gibbs commercial sewing machines are still made and used in the 21st century.

Advertisement of Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Letter G, 1869,  from LOC

Photo of James E. A. Gibbs, taken some time prior to 1902

The Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company started in 1857 by James E. A. Gibbs and James Willcox opened its London Office in 1859 at 135 Regent Street. By around 1871 the European offices were at 150 Cheapside, London and later 20 Fore Street, London. The company hired John Emory Powers for marketing its product. Powers pioneered the use of many new marketing techniques, including full-page ads in the form of a story or play, free trial uses of a product and installment purchasing plan.[2] The marketing campaign created a demand for sewing machines in the Great Britain that Willcox and Gibbs could not meet.[3] The machine's circular design was so popular that it was produced well into the early 20th century, long after most machines were of the more conventional design. The machines shown employ the Gibbs rotary twisted chain stitch mechanism which was less prone to coming undone.

Following his successful invention, he named his family's farm "Raphine." The name originated from an old Greek word "raphis" which means "to sew." The community of Raphine, Virginia, was named in his honor.[4]

  • A Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine on its ornate treadle.
    A Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine on its ornate treadle.
  • A German straw hat machine from Heinrich Grossmann built around a Willcox and Gibbs.
    A German straw hat machine from Heinrich Grossmann built around a Willcox and Gibbs.

References
  1. Winifred Hadsel (1985). The streets of Lexington, Virginia: a guide to the origins and history of their names. Rockbridge Historical Society. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  2. "John E. Powers: Former Copywriter, Lord & Taylor & John Wanamaker Company". Advertising Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  3. Joel Shrock (June 30, 2004). The Gilded Age. ABC-CLIO. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-313-06221-6. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  4. Barbara Tricarico; Maren Lindberg (July 30, 2006). Quilts of Virginia, 1607–1899: the birth of America through the eye of a needle. Schiffer Pub. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7643-2465-9. Retrieved November 23, 2012.


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