The Last Machine in History The last machine, which made it possible to draw the upper leather over the last using a machine, had a tremendous influence on the industrialization of shoe manufacture. A process in shoe manufacturing that many felt would never be accomplished with a machine was achieved here. Leather belts could now be used instead of hand-stitched straps, and these were much more durable. Also, by using a last for each shoe size, nearly perfect copies could be made quickly and easily. In conclusion, the lasting machine was a great advancement in shoe technology because it allowed for quicker production times while still giving the manufacturer control over quality.