Motors were optional on some of the early 1900s Singers. My Mom, 94 yo, got a treadle machine in 1936, her first Christmas with my Dad. The next year he bought her the optional motor. Times were hard in the '30s and a sewing machine was a huge purchase for a young mine worker. My Mom worked that machine hard sewing for 7 kids. She has torn the machine down to clean it a few times, and has replaced the motor twice. It's a wonderful machine. My 3 sisters and I learned to sew on it, and I'm honored that it will be mine when Mom is through using it.