There is a Singer chain stitch embroidery machine that is very similar in that it only uses a bobbin thread and the needle has a hook to catch the thread and bring it to the top. I'd love to get one of them some day - the older the better!
I love machines that have unusual mechanism for forming a stitch, and that is one reason I was very attracted to this machine. I'm getting motivated to get mine out and start using it. I've decided not to let myself start a new quilt top while working on the BH mystery, so maybe that will help get me working on my other machines (so far it's mostly the LA I've been working with).