Barthelemy Thimonnier
Barthélemy Thimmonier was a French tailor and a pioneer of sewing machines. A model of an 1830 machine is on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers. See photos.
See Wikipedia for a simple animation
Born in 1793 at Abreste, France.
1839 in St.Etienne, he produced a wooden machine that 'worked crochet freely'. It was seen by an engineer call Beaunier, who persuaded him to bring it to Paris.
A company was established with Germain, Petit and Co called Ferrand, Thimonnier, Germain, Petit and Co and a factory set up in Rue do Sevres.
In 1841, 80 wooden machines were set up to work on a contract for army clothing.
In 1841 the machines were attacked and destroyed by workers.
Thimonnier was forced to leave Paris.
In 1847 or 1848 he got M. Magnin of Villefranche on board.
The machine was exhibited at the Royal Institution and another factory set up in Paris to work them. Once again they were destroyed by the workers. The machine was intended to be shown at the Great Exhibition (in Paris, presumably), but was entered too late.
Thimonnier died a pauper in 1857.[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Engineer 1873/12/26