On October 9, 1855, Isaac M. Singer received U.S. Patent No. 13661 on a Sewing Machine:

Of course, Singers’ was not the first patent on a sewing machine. Elias Howe is generally regarded as the first inventor of the sewing machine, and he received U.S. Patent No. 4750 on September 10, 1846:

Howe also received U.S. Patent Nos. 16,436 on January 20, 1857, 17679 on June 30, 1857, and 21158 on August 24, 1858. However, rather than making and selling machines himself, Howe made his fortune by suing those who he felt had infringed on his patents.