I remember hearing that when they first came out the cost was very high compared to family income, but women everywhere saved their pennies to buy one. Once you had it you could make money sewing for other people and save it by making clothes for your family. Lots of women used their "egg money" to buy them. Their chickens provided eggs for them to sell. That idea just tickles me. I bought mine from a friend who got it when she was in high school in the 1950's and I paid $300 for it. I call it Candy Singer after the original owner.