The design and production of small and inexpensive hooked needle machines first appeared in the USA in the late 1850s. A number of inventors and engineers applied their talents to this class of machine during the subsequent decade. Cheap, practical models were certainly produced, but it is fair to conclude that commercial success was only very limited at best. Surviving machines of this type are scarce today, and this, combined with their diminutive size has ensured that many of today's enthusiasts are keen to add at least one of them to their collections.
What follows is a brief look at some of the designs that are known to have made it into production.

Albert H. Hook's table clamp machine was patented in November 1858. A barbed needle penetrated the stitchplate and fabric from below, and a guide positioned the thread close around the needle. When the needle descended, the barb caught and carried down a loop of the thread through the cloth, which was then fed forward one stitch. The needle again ascended, leaving the loop on it, and by the same process caught the thread and drew another loop down through the first. This was repeated as the sewing proceeded.
When manufactured, the machine was extremely tiny - only approximately 2 inches by 2 inches above the clamp.
Two years later Jason W. Hardy patented a very similar looking machine, but the design incorporated modifications with the method of activating a swinging movement of the thread guide. Production machines were approximately double the size of the Hook model.

Hardy's 1860 patent.

Also towards the close of the 1850s Edward S. Boynton patented his own distinctive "clamp-on", barbed needle machine. With cost cutting in mind, Boynton attached his needle directly to the crankshaft, thereby creating a simple feed. A variable needle guide was included, this allowing stitch length adjustment.
Boynton also made provision within his design for the attachment of an additional larger crank wheel, which when linked by belt to the existing drive, enhanced the speed of operation.
As with the Hook, Hardy and Jackson designs, the needle still penetrated the worked fabric from below.

Boynton's 1859 patent.

One year later, using Hancock's basic model, Henry P. Lamson claimed a new spring thread guide to yield against the pressure of the needle, which then carried the thread across its path. Also included was a second guide piece to control the path of the thread as well as close the flexible needle barb. Lamson's design boasted a ratchet device to prevent accidental reverse motion, together with a thread tensioning provision. Despite all these improvements, Hancock's adjustable stitchplate was retained.

1870 saw further developments, this time by Jennie L. Lake. The improvements consisted of, and I quote:
"A thread guide and needle closure of a rigid character, but hung so as to be capable of sliding and pressed outward by a rubber, or other suitable spring, on its back, whereby, while all requisite elasticity is secured as regards the working of the needle over or in contact with said device, a more positive and effective action is obtained than is attainable by a thread guide and needle closure of an elastic wire construction."

Lake's 1870 patent.

GD
January 2004