In 1830 a successful chanis stitch sewing machine was invented and constructed by Thimmonier, who started a factory in which many of these machines were employed. In 1845 Elias Howe constructed the first lock-stitch sewing machine using an eye-pointed needle and an independent shuttle, each threaded. In 1851 Singer patented his frst machine and did much to accelerate the commercial introduction of this most useful invention.