All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

370 All About Inventions “ Sewing machines will never come into use, Singer. I’m a tailor, and know more about the situation than you do. Sell territorial rights, make as much money as you can, and clear out of the market as quickly as possible.” Singer rejected the advice and continued on the path he had carved out for himself. His tiny works were becoming taxed to their utmost, and the out- look appeared decidedly cheerful. Ihen came a dark cloud which threatened to shatter his castles in the air. One night Elias Howe paid him a visit and in threatening tones demanded the sum of £5>000 as compensation for the infringement of his patent rights. Singer, who had started his idea on a modest borrowed £8, and even now was struggling hard, was not to be intimidated. In the first place, he had not £5,000 by him; in the second, he held his own opinion concerning the value of Howe’s patent. Howe, unable to secure the satisfaction he de- manded, at once sought the assistance of the courts. Singer was overwhelmed with litigation and was faced with extinction. But Singer was not a man to be cast down very readily. He fought Howe tooth and nail, step by step, and the plucky fight against overwhelming odds, in which the best legal talent was engaged, brought an unexpected development. Singer’s leading counsel, a Mr. Clark, was attracted to the determined mechanic and to his handiwork, as well as to his grand idea of turning out the machine at such a low price as to bring it within the reach of even the poorest needleworker. Clark fought the battle doggedly, but Howe’s position proved un- assailable. The courts declared Singer’s machine to