Joe,
A lady, Helen Augusta Blanchard invented the zig zag sewing machine. She was a very prolific inventor. She held many sewing machine patents. She started the Blanchard Over-Seam Company in the early 1880s.
As to which company actually made and sold the 1st ZZ machine I don't know unless it was her BO-S company. I do remember reading that the 1st ZZ machines were for industrial applications. I don't know when the 1st home ZZ machines were sold. But Bernina does claim to have come out with the first portable ZZ with freearm in 1945.
That's not a lot of info, but it is the best I can do right now.
Cathy
Originally Posted by
J Miller
1870s?? Hmmmm, I'd like to see a pic or three of that one. Who made it?
Joe