Bickford Family Knitting Machine
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| Chapin Machine Co., Dana Bickford Knitting Machine Co. Bickford Family Knitting Machine | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chapin Machine Co., Dana Bickford Knitting Machine Co. |
| Model | Bickford Family Knitting Machine |
| Gauge | Circular (Configurable) |
| Type | Circular Sock Machine (CSM) |
| Patterning | Manual / Reversible |
| Needles | Configurable |
| Release Year | 1867 |
| Accessories | |
| Also Known As | Bickford CSM |
The Bickford Family Knitting Machine is one of the earliest commercially produced domestic circular sock machines (CSMs) in North America, invented by Dana Bickford (originally of Quechee, Vermont) and patented in 1867–1868.[1]
History & Overview[edit]
Dana Bickford began manufacturing automatic knitters in New York City through the Chapin Machine Company and later formed the Bickford Knitting Machine Company.[1] The machine was widely advertised throughout the 1870s as a household tool for knitting socks, stockings, and tubular garments.
Key patents associated with Dana Bickford's designs include:
- US Patent No. 162,886 (May 4, 1875): Improved Family Knitting-Machine.[2]
- US Patent No. 174,763 (March 14, 1876): Improvement in Circular-Knitting Machines.[3]
Manuals & Documentation[edit]
- Illustrated Instructions for Setting Up and Running the Bickford Family Knitting Machine (1871)[4]
- Illustrated Instruction Book for the Bickford Family Knitting Machine (1873)[5]
External Links[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brattleboro Reformer: The Dramatic Rise and Fall of a Brattleboro Knitting Machine Manufacturer
- ↑ US Patent 162,886: Improved Family Knitting-Machine
- ↑ US Patent 174,763: Improvement in Circular-Knitting Machines
- ↑ Internet Archive: Bickford Family Knitting Machine Instruction Book (1871)
- ↑ Internet Archive: Bickford Family Knitting Machine Instruction Book (1873)