The Alpha Sew situaton is another great example of just how impressive the early machines were.
The reason that the Alpha-Sew machines did not take off is that the quality is SIGNIFICANTLY lower than even modern Singers. That is in the modern world where computer controlled milling machines can make parts to within .0001 inch or better... Imagine the committment to quality that was required around the time of the US Civil War to make machines that 150 years later are still smoother than a machine made 3-5 years ago.
Sad....