Originally Posted by
Manalto
I've heard the same, including that both companies operated out of Pavia (Italy). The Robot (pictured above) was the machine that created a stir in 1953. The first "automatic" sewing machine, it compelled gigantic Singer to enter into an agreement with tiny Vigorelli in order to use internal cams in their machines (319 and 401).
Very interesting. I'm surprised Singer didn't buy him out like they did W&W. I really think Singer dropped the ball after the mid 50s. I have a Brother machine from 1956 that has dual built in cam stacks that allow it to do stitches that Singer machines didn't have built in until around the mid 1960s.
Cari