Jan Ernst Matzeliger
Born Sept. 15, 1852 – Died Aug. 24, 1889
U.S. Patent No. 274,207
Inducted in NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME 2006
Matzeliger was born in Dutch Guiana (now Suriname) and was self-educated. He immigrated to the United States at age twenty and ran a shoe-stitching machine for a manufacturer in Lynn, Massachusetts. Observing the hand lasters at the factory, he resolved to mechanize the one remaining manual bottoming process. With reference books and a secondhand set of drafting instruments, Matzeliger worked on his own time after long days at the factory. He built his first model out of wooden cigar boxes, elastic, and wire. After two years, his prototype was complete.
His invention was presented and received patent 274,207 on 3/20/1883. Jan Ernst Matzeliger machines were for the mass production of shoes. Jan Matzeliger invented a tack separating and distributing mechanism and received patent 423,937 on 3/25/1890. Jan Matzeliger machines were for the mass production of shoes. Jan Matzeliger invented the nailing machine and received patent 421,954 on 2/25/1890. Jan Matzeliger machines were for the mass production of shoes. Jan Matzeliger invented a lasting machine and received patent 459,899 on 9/22/1891. Jan Matzeliger machines were for the mass production of shoes. Jan Matzeliger invented a mechanism for distributing tacks, nails, etc., and received patent 415,726 on 11/26/1899. Jan Matzeliger machines were for the mass production of shoes.
In the mid-1880s, he and two partners started a business to manufacture his machine. Matzeliger died a few years later at the age of 37. The companies descended from the one he started are now worth more than a billion dollars.1889 from tuberculosis at the age of 39. His good works lived long after him. Not only have thousands of his excellent lasting machines operated for many decades throughout the world, but in 1904 the North Congregational Church of Lynn, ceremonially burned its mortgage, discharged by the sale of United Shoe stock acquired in exchange for the Consolidated Hand Method stock bequeathed to them by Matzelige
PATENTS BELOW.
