Helen A. Blanchard, Sewing Machine Innovator

Dec 30, 2024

Discover the remarkable legacy of Helen A. Blanchard, a pioneer in sewing machine innovation. She held 28 patents, including the revolutionary zigzag stitch. The podcast delves into her journey from privilege to overcoming financial turmoil, shaping the garment industry along the way. It also explores her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic efforts, as well as her fight for women’s rights in a changing industrial landscape. Her contributions continue to influence modern sewing practices, making her an unsung hero deserving recognition.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Exploring the Legacy of Helen A. Blanchard, Sewing Innovator

02:28 • 3min

The Evolution of Sewing Machines

05:17 • 6min

Financial Turmoil and Resilience of Helen Blanchard

11:14 • 6min

The Legacy of Helen A. Blanchard

17:24 • 10min

The Legacy of Helen A. Blanchard

27:41 • 8min

The Life and Legacy of Helen A. Blanchard

35:41 • 10min

Celebrating Local Art and Community Engagement

45:58 • 4min

A lot of sewing techniques being taught and used today came from the mind of one innovator: Helen Blanchard. She held 28 patents, most related to sewing, and she shaped the way the garment industry functioned.

Research:

“1854 – Walter Hunt’s Patent Model of a Sewing Machine.” Smithsonian. National Museum of American History. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1070410
“1873 - Helen A. Blanchard's Sewing machine Patent Model (buttonhole).” Smithsonian. National Museum of American History. https://www.si.edu/object/1873-helen-blanchards-sewing-machine-patent-model-buttonhole%3Anmah_1069711
“A Woman’s Pluck.” The Portland Daily Press. Aug. 24, 1886. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875134248/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22
Blanchard, Helen A. “Improvement in Sewing Machines.” USPO. Aug. 19, 1873. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/11/99/2a/c5331644eba132/US141987.pdf
Blanchard, Helen A. “IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC GORINGS FOR SHOES.” USPO. Sept. 14, 1875. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e4/91/7f/d5eca5e95653b8/US167732.pdf
Blanchard, Helen A. “IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC SEAMS FOR GARMENTS.” USPO. April 13, 1875. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/22/f6/ab/176ada1cf78526/US162019.pdf
Blanchard, Helen. A. “Surgical Needle.” USPO. Oct. 9, 1894. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/55/6a/29/283ec2c85e7b0d/US527263.pdf
Blanchard, Helen A. “Improvement in Welted and Covered Seams.” USPO. Aug. 19, 1875. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/7b/34/59/3e6a0f48970df6/US174764.pdf
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "panic." Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/money/panic-economics
DiPhilippo, Kathryn Onos. “Window on the Past – Local Women in History: Helen Blanchard.” Portland Herald. June 24, 2020. https://www.pressherald.com/2020/06/24/window-on-the-past-6/#:~:text=Around%201881%2C%20Helen%20and%20Louise%20Blanchard%20started,own%20company%2C%20the%20Blanchard%20Overseam%20Machine%20Company.
“Helen A. Blanchard has filed …” The Philadelphia Inquirer. Dec. 23, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/168365258/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22
“Helen Blanchard: Sewing Machine Improvements.” Lemelson-MIT. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/helen-blanchard
“Helen Blanchard - Zig-Zag Sewing Machine.” National Inventors Hall of Fame. https://www.invent.org/inductees/helen-blanchard
Herzberg, Rudolph, tr. By Upfield Green. “The Sewing machine: Its History, Construction, and Application.” London. E. & F.N. Spon. 1864. https://archive.org/details/sewingmachineit00herzgoog
“Miss Helen Blanchard … “ Portland Sunday Telegraph. Dec. 3, 1899. https://www.newspapers.com/image/846596628/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22
“Motor and Lumber Companies Incorporated.” Boston Evening Transcript. May 09, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/735352621/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22
“NO AUCTION SALE.” Portland Sunday Telegram. Jan 31, 1915. https://www.newspapers.com/image/846796566/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22
“The Portland Advertiser states … “ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. Jul. 09, 1853. https://www.newspapers.com/image/663005747/?match=1&terms=thomas%20knight%20shipyard%20fire
Stanley, Autumn. “Mothers and Daughters of Invention.” Rutgers University Press. 1995.
“Superior Court.” The Portland Daily Press. Dec 22, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875209480/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22
Willard, Frances Elizabeth. “A Woman of the Century.” Moulton. January 1893. Accessed online: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zXEEAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-zXEEAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1
“Woman Inventor Was Last of an Old Time Family.” Evening Express. Jan 13, 1922. https://www.newspapers.com/image/851331069/?article=4c97fcf5-4fbc-4149-8dc4-4160e6411049

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