The first practical and widely successful sewing machine was patented by Elias Howe in 1846. His design used a lockstitch mechanism, where two threads—one from a needle and one from a bobbin—locked together to form a sturdy seam. Before this, all clothing was stitched by hand, a process that could take dozens of hours for a single garment. Isaac Singer later improved the design by adding a foot treadle and a vertical needle, leading to a famous patent battle with Howe. The sewing machine was one of the first mass-produced consumer appliances. It revolutionized the textile industry, moving clothing production from homes to factories and significantly lowering the cost of apparel. It also empowered women by reducing the time spent on domestic chores and providing a means of independent income through tailoring and manufacturing.