object highlight
Crispin Sewing Machine
The 1863 Crispin Sewing Machine was an Innovation in Sole Stitching
Invented in 1863 and crucial in the growth of the factory production of shoes
The 1863 Crispin Sewing Machine was an innovation in sole stitching. Developed and patented by William Stephens Clark and John Keats in 1863. The Crispin sole stitching machine was created to attach the uppers, the part of the shoe that encases the foot, to the soles. At this time, William Stephens Clark wanted to increase the volume of shoes being made by moving away from home production and expanding factory production. Machines that mechanised parts of the process speeding up production were crucial. The Crispin Sewing Machine was innovative for its time in using a hook instead of a needle to stop the waxed thread from clogging the machine.
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Collection
Brown Petersburgh
Clarks began making slippers called the ‘Brown Petersburgh’ as a side project to their sheepskin rug business. Made by hand using off-cuts of sheep fleece, these cosy affordable slippers became popular and were the foundation of C&J Clarks footwear business.
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Collection
Crispin Sewing Machine
The 1863 Crispin Sewing Machine was an Innovation in Sole Stitching
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Collection
Latin Verse Machine
‘Eureka’ is a marvellous machine which creates Latin poetry. This remarkable invention was created by Bridgwater eccentric John Clark (1785-1853)
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Collection
Fossils
An internationally important collection of Jurassic fossils collected by Alfred Gillett, a member of the Clark family, and members of the 19th century Somerset Archaeological Society.
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