The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-04-16
ALL ABOUT NEEDLES.

The manufacture of needles is sub
Ject full OF interesting study. Nearly
| all of the needles used throughout the
civilized world are made in England,
the principal factories being located at
Redditch and other suburbs of Birming-
ham. There are also factories in France
and Germany, but they make COM
paratively small number. Probably
there is no instrument manufactured
which receives such common use by
people of all classes. The variety in
use is wonderful; there are about sew
enty distinct kinds and numerous STYLES
of each kind. For instance, there are
no less than thirty distinct styles of
surgeons needles, and perhaps there
are as many varieties of the numerous
other kinds, which include hand, ma
chine, sail, darning. knitting. uphol-
sterers', broom, bone, and others too
numerous to mention.
The first known of matchmaking
was at Nuremberg in 1870, by Gaamer
Gurton, but these were crude in make
and formed of rough material. That
needles, or something to do their work,
were in use before that date there can
be little doubt, but nothing has been
told in the records. The first mention
ed of the needle trade in London was
in 1543, and in 1856 Cromwell created
corporate body of the needle-makers.
The needles then made were practical
ly the same as those in daily use now,
although the facilities of manufacture
have been greatly improved. The pro-
cess OF manufacture requires two or
three weeks, from cutting the wire be-
fore the needle is ready to ship
The early manufacturers had a very
simple and awkward workshop, but at
present the greater part of the work is
done by machinery. Two needles are
cut, pointed. and the eyes stamped at
one move of the machine. Then the
wire is cut in two between the eyes and
the rough edge filed. Formerly the
points were ground by man who held
them to the wheel and had his mouth
tied up with a cloth. Yet the dust en-
tered his lungs and caused hemorrhage
if he continued at the work any consid-
cradle length of time. Now the nee
dies are held by pair of rubber hands,
which do the work equally well.
The first patent obtained for manu-
featuring needles was taken out bv
William Showard in 1915. There are
no hand-needles made in this country.
An attempt was made for a time to
manufacture them at springfield, Mass,
but it was not a financial success
Nearly all sewing machine needles are
made here, and they are the only ones
made to any extent outside of England.
A man named Ellithorpe probably is as
large manufacturer as is known here,
and he usually sends to England unless
a small number of some special style is
wanted. There are long-eyed, round
eyed. egg-eyed, and counter-sunk eyed
needles. The eyes are finished by
stringing the needles on a wire and
swinging them rapidly. then the rough
rim is cut of, and they are put into
sacks and tumbled about for time in
order to obtain a polish by their fric-
tion upon each other.
The most complicated and ingenious
needle made is for the knitting ma
chine, with a hook and automatic latch.
Among other very odd ones are uphol-
sterers, Harding, and trusting needles.
Then there are the ventilating- needle
for wig-makerS, the knotting- needle for
making false whiskers, the hackle for
hair-dressers, the rug needle, and the
sword-needle, with d two-edged blade,
used for sacking hams. The most ex-
pensive needles are usually surgeons
and broOmmakers'
The largest steel needle is nearly two
feet long, and is used in casing hams
Afghan and crochet needles are made
of wood or bone usually. The leviathan
crochet and knitting needles are some
times one inch in diameter. Fine steel
crochet needles to be used in handles of
bone or other material are called tam
bour needles. Although there is such
great variety of needles there is al
occasional order from some particular
old bachelor or other eccentric individ-
ual for a peculiar needle to suit his in
dividual fancy.