This is a very important day for those who appreciate the sewing machine. On this date in 1851, Isaac Singer was granted a patent for his sewing machine. Unfortunately, issues arose later. He and another sewing machine inventor, Elias Howe, had a major dispute. How had patented the eyed needle that Singer was using in his machine. Singer argued that Howe was not the first to invent the eyed needle–Walter Hunt had done it years ago. However, Hunt did not file for a patent, so the Howe won. He was forced to pay thousands in royalties to Howe.
For more info:
http://famousdaily.com/history/sewing-machine-invention-patent-isaac-singer.html
http://nowweknowem.com/2013/08/isaac-singer-was-granted-a-patent-for-his-new-sewing-machine-design-today-in-1851-started-i-m-singer-company-and-began-to-mass-produce-sewing-machines-for-the-first-time-in-history-now-we-kn/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Singer