Key :

Write T (true) or F (false) :

1 - F (American)

2 - F (in 1811)

3 - T

4 - F (in Boston)

5 - T

6 - T

7 - F (sewing machines)

8 - F (it does)

9 - T

10 - F ( in the UK)

Answer the questions :

1 - He is American.

2 - Because the actor doesn't make much money.

3 - Because he needs money.

4 - In 1851.

5 - Because they don't have to pay all the money at one time.

Elias Howe (on the left) patents

the first practical sewing machine

(on the right) in 1846 and threads

his way into the fabric of history.

Isaac Merritt Singer

B: 26^th October 1811 in Pittstown (the USA)

D: 23^rd July 1875 in Paignton (the UK)

Isaac Singer was an inventor. Life is easy because of his invention. His story begins in 1811.

He is born poor. He is the eighth child of a German immigrant. At the age of 12, he runs away from home and becomes an actor. An actor doesn't make much money, so Isaac also learns to be a mechanic. When he needs money, he works as a mechanic.

Now it is 1851. Singer is working as a mechanic in Boston. Someone tells him he can make a lot of money if he can make a good sewing machine. Singer needs money. There are already several kinds of sewing machines but none of them work well. In eleven days, Singer makes the first sewing machine that really works.

Singer and two other people start the I.M. Singer Company. They make sewing machines.

Soon everyone wants to buy one. The Singer Company uses a great new idea to sell its machines. People don't have to pay all the money at one time. They can pay a little money every month or every week.

The sewing machine changes life in the United States. Women don't have to sew clothes for the family.

For the first time, people can buy ready-made clothes and shoes.

Isaac Singer becomes a very, very wealthy man. He stops work and retires. He builds a house with 115 rooms in England. When he dies, his 24 children fight over his money.

Write T (true) or F (false):

___ 1. Isaac Singer is German.

___ 2. His story begins in 1851.

___ 3. Isaac is very poor.

___ 4. He works as a mechanic in New York.

___ 5. Singer makes the first sewing machine in 11 days.

___ 6. He starts the I.M. Singer Company.

___ 7. I.M. Singer Company makes cars.

___ 8. The sewing machine doesn't change life in the USA.

___ 9. People can buy ready-made clothes and shoes.

___ 10. Isaac Singer dies in the USA.

Answer the questions :

1. What nationality is Isaac Singer ?

___________________________________

2. Why does Isaac learn to be a mechanic ?

___________________________________

3. Why does he want to make the good sewing machine ?

___________________________________

4. When does he make the first sewing machine ?

___________________________________

5. Why do people want to buy the sewing machines from the I.M. Singer Company ?

___________________________________

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