This book of Illustrated Directions was produced for use with the Davis New High Arm Vertical Feed (VF) Sewing Machine. The first model of the High Arm was produced in 1881, and the ‘New’ model, Model 2 VF, was introduced from 1883 and continued at least until 1885, when the Model 3 VF was manufactured. Job Davis, an inventor, showed his Davis Sewing Machine to two brothers in Watertown. The brothers, John and Joseph Shaldon, who founded the Davis Sewing Machine Company in February 1868 in Watertown, New York. The firm moved to Ohio in the 1890. Its early sewing machines were known as the Vertical Feed machines. These machines differed from others, in that there were two presser feet that moved and held the cloth as the needle went in and out of it. This type of action was also called ‘walking foot’ by makers of similar machines. Other machines used a feed dog below the machine’s bed to move the fabric. The Davis Company was awarded a Patents for its improvement to sewing machines. London offices were set up at 54, Queen Victoria Street, London in 1982. It was known as the Vertical Feed Sewing Machine Company. An article published in March 1885 states that the London Manager of the Vertical Feed Sewing Machine Company has 300,000 machines world-wide, including 4,000 in England alone. It claimed that the Auxiliary Forces Uniform and Equipment Company in Limerick, Ireland, was running its machines with steam power and could produce first-class work at the rate of 1,500 stitches per minute. The hand stitched binding of the manual is an example of early book binding processes. The is significant for its relationship to the Davis New High Arm Vertical Feed sewing machine, which was invented in 1866 and became popular in the domestic market. It was also used in industrial conditions as a labour-saving machine, one of the many machines that were part of the Industrial Revolution when steam power replaced manual power in many factories. Paper book with stitched binding. Printed text and illustrations contained within the 42-page booklet. The manual includes drawn diagrams and instructions for use of the Davis New High Arm Vertical Feed Sewing Machine, a foot treadle machine made in the 1880s. Front cover: "ILLUSTRATED DIRECTIIONS for the NEW HIGH ARM DAVIS Vertical Feed Sewing Machine and its Accessories and Attachments"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, sewing machine manual, davis sewing machine, new high arm sewing machine, model 2 vf, vertical feed, sewing machine instructions, sewing machine directions, job davis, john sheldon, joseph sheldon, high arm sewing machine, watertown, new york, vertical feed sewing machine company, treadle, steam sewing machine, auxiliary forces uniform and equipment company, limerick, ireland

Wanting to improve upon the limitations of existing Braillers, the Perkins School for the Blind resolved to develop a new machine that would produce uniformity in embossing, was lightweight and was easy to use. By the 1940's, David Abrahams (a teacher at the school) had developed his prototype, but manufacturing restrictions created by World War 2 halted proceedings. In the waiting period, students at the school used the prototype and Abrahams perfected his device. During the post-war era, Howe Press agreed to take on production of the Perkins Brailler and it became of the most popular and commonly used Braillers around the world since it's commercial release in 1951. Also included is a booklet of photocopied instructions with honeycomb binding.Metal Braille writer with nine grey keys, carriage return key and paper rollers on either side, with grey vinyl cover, and photocopied instruction booklet.'Perkins Brailler' embossed on front of machine and in silver on cover. Sticker on top of machine reads "This equipment remains the property of Braille and Talking Book Library 31-51 Commercial Road, South Yarra 3141 Phone: (03) 267 6022." Metal plate attached to front below keys "Designed by David Abraham, Manufactured and Distributed by Howe Memorial Press, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Mass. U.S.A." Stamped on base of front: G0345braille equipment, perkins school for the blind