So Howe woke one morning to find himself enjoying a large income, which in time rose as high as four thousand dollars a week, and he died in 1867 a rich man.
Though the basic nature of Howe's patent was recognized, his machine was only a rough beginning.

Improvements followed, one after another, until the sewing machine bore little resemblance to Howe's original.

John Bachelder introduced the horizontal table upon which to lay the work.

Through an opening in the table, tiny spikes in an endless belt projected and pushed the work for ward continuously.

Allan B.Wilson devised a rotary hook carrying a bobbin to do the work of the shuttle, and also the small serrated bar which pops up through the table near the needle, moves forward a tiny space, carrying the cloth with it, drops down just below the upper surface of the table, and returns to its starting point, to repeat over and over again this series of motions.
This simple device brought its owner a fortune.