Vintage stitching machines manufactured by the Willcox & Gibbs Stitching Machine Firm symbolize a big chapter within the historical past of stitching know-how. These machines, identified for his or her distinctive rotary hook and chain sew, had been well-liked within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A surviving instance supplied in the marketplace presents a novel alternative for collectors and fans.
Buying such a machine supplies a tangible hyperlink to this historic interval. These machines are sometimes valued for his or her sturdiness, distinctive stitching, and chic design. They provide a glimpse into the evolution of stitching know-how and the economic revolution’s impression on home life. Their continued availability in the marketplace permits for the preservation of those vital artifacts and the appreciation of their mechanical ingenuity.
This dialogue will additional discover the historical past of the Willcox & Gibbs firm, the technical specs of their machines, components influencing their worth, and steering for potential patrons looking for these distinctive items of stitching historical past.
1. Vintage Stitching Machine
The time period “vintage stitching machine” immediately pertains to a “Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine on the market” as these machines are historic artifacts, usually relationship again to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Understanding the traits of vintage stitching machines is crucial for appreciating the worth and significance of a Willcox & Gibbs mannequin in the marketplace.
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Historic Context
Vintage stitching machines present a window into the historical past of home know-how and the economic revolution. They symbolize a big shift in textile manufacturing, transferring from hand-sewing to mechanized processes. A Willcox & Gibbs machine, inside this context, showcases a selected period of innovation and design inside the broader historical past of stitching know-how. Its presence in the marketplace affords a tangible connection to this historic interval.
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Mechanical Performance
Vintage stitching machines usually characteristic intricate mechanisms and distinctive designs. Willcox & Gibbs machines, identified for his or her rotary hook and chain sew, exemplify this mechanical ingenuity. Evaluating the performance of an vintage machine is essential, because it immediately impacts its worth and usefulness. A functioning Willcox & Gibbs machine supplies a working instance of historic engineering.
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Collectibility and Rarity
The rarity and situation of an vintage stitching machine considerably affect its collectibility and market worth. Sure Willcox & Gibbs fashions, notably these in pristine situation or with distinctive options, could be extremely wanted by collectors. Understanding the precise mannequin and its manufacturing historical past contributes to assessing its rarity and potential worth.
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Restoration and Preservation
Many vintage stitching machines require restoration to regain performance or improve their aesthetic enchantment. Assessing the situation and restoration potential of a Willcox & Gibbs machine is important for potential patrons. Restoration can contain repairing mechanical parts, cleansing, and preserving the unique end. This course of provides worth to the machine whereas preserving a bit of historical past.
These components, when thought of collectively, present a complete understanding of the connection between “vintage stitching machine” and a “Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine on the market.” They spotlight the significance of contemplating historic context, mechanical performance, collectibility, and restoration potential when evaluating these machines in the marketplace. This information equips each patrons and sellers with the required data for knowledgeable decision-making.
2. Collectible Merchandise
The designation “collectible merchandise” considerably impacts the marketplace for Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines. These machines transcend their utilitarian operate as stitching instruments and turn out to be objects of historic and aesthetic curiosity. This shift in notion creates a definite market pushed by collectors looking for to amass and protect these items of business and home historical past. A number of components contribute to their collectibility:
- Historic Significance: Willcox & Gibbs machines symbolize a selected period of stitching machine innovation. Their distinctive rotary hook and chain sew mechanism distinguish them from different vintage machines, including to their historic worth and enchantment to collectors.
- Rarity and Situation: The rarity of particular fashions, notably these in wonderful authentic situation or with uncommon options, considerably enhances their desirability amongst collectors. A well-preserved machine affords a glimpse into the craftsmanship and design aesthetics of the previous.
- Aesthetic Attraction: The elegant design and complex mechanical particulars of Willcox & Gibbs machines contribute to their aesthetic enchantment. Collectors usually admire the ornamental components and the visible illustration of mechanical ingenuity.
- Funding Potential: Uncommon and well-preserved Willcox & Gibbs machines can admire in worth over time, making them enticing investments for collectors. The restricted provide and rising demand for these historic artifacts contribute to their potential for long-term worth development.
For instance, a uncommon Willcox & Gibbs mannequin in pristine situation with its authentic equipment and case can command a considerably larger worth than a extra widespread mannequin requiring restoration. Equally, machines with documented provenance, corresponding to these owned by historic figures or utilized in notable contexts, can turn out to be extremely sought-after collectibles. The marketplace for these machines operates inside a specialised area of interest, the place collectors prioritize historic significance, rarity, and situation. This focus differentiates the market from the broader marketplace for purposeful stitching machines.
Understanding the “collectible merchandise” facet of Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines is essential for navigating the market successfully. Collectors profit from researching particular fashions, understanding their historic context, and assessing their situation. This information permits knowledgeable buying selections and permits collectors to construct curated collections of those traditionally important machines. The intersection of historic significance, mechanical innovation, and aesthetic enchantment solidifies the place of Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines as fascinating collectible gadgets, driving a specialised market targeted on preservation and appreciation.
3. Historic Significance
The historic significance of Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines contributes considerably to their worth and desirability inside the collector market. These machines symbolize a definite interval of innovation in stitching know-how, particularly the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their distinctive rotary hook and chain sew mechanism, patented by James E. A. Gibbs, differentiated them from the extra widespread lock sew machines of the period. This innovation supplied benefits by way of velocity and sew formation, notably for lighter materials. Consequently, Willcox & Gibbs machines grew to become well-liked for each home and industrial use, taking part in a task within the evolving panorama of textile manufacturing.
The corporate’s historical past, marked by each successes and challenges, additional provides to the historic narrative surrounding these machines. Willcox & Gibbs’s give attention to high quality and innovation established their repute. The survival of those machines at this time affords a tangible connection to this historic context. For instance, a Willcox & Gibbs machine from the Eighteen Eighties may bear witness to the rise of ready-to-wear clothes or the altering roles of ladies in society. Analyzing particular fashions and their options inside their historic context supplies a deeper understanding of their significance. A machine’s provenance, if identified, can additional improve its historic worth. A machine documented as having been utilized in a selected historic setting, corresponding to a tailor’s store or a dressmaking institution, provides one other layer to its narrative.
Understanding the historic context of those machines enriches the expertise of possession for collectors. It strikes past merely proudly owning an vintage object to possessing a tangible piece of historical past. This historic significance immediately impacts the market worth of Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines, as collectors are sometimes prepared to pay a premium for machines with documented provenance or these representing important technological developments. The machines turn out to be greater than purposeful objects; they turn out to be artifacts reflecting a specific second in time. Preserving these machines contributes to sustaining a connection to the historical past of stitching know-how and its broader impression on society.
4. Mechanical Performance
Mechanical performance is a important facet of a Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine on the market, immediately influencing its worth and desirability. These machines are famend for his or her distinctive rotary hook and chain sew mechanism, a particular characteristic that units them aside from different vintage stitching machines. A completely purposeful Willcox & Gibbs machine affords not solely a working instance of historic engineering but in addition the potential for continued use. The graceful operation of the rotary hook, the exact formation of the chain sew, and the general mechanical integrity of the machine are key indicators of its worth. A machine in good working order permits collectors to expertise the stitching course of because it was initially supposed, offering a tangible connection to the previous.
The situation of the machine’s inside parts, corresponding to gears, cams, and the needle bar mechanism, immediately impacts its performance. A well-maintained machine with correctly lubricated and adjusted elements will function easily and reliably. Conversely, a machine with worn or broken parts could require intensive restoration to regain performance. For instance, a machine with a seized rotary hook or a bent needle bar will likely be unable to stitch, considerably diminishing its worth. Potential patrons usually search machines which can be both absolutely purposeful or require minimal restoration. An illustration of the machine’s stitching capabilities, together with its means to deal with completely different cloth varieties and thread weights, supplies helpful proof of its mechanical soundness.
The sensible significance of understanding a Willcox & Gibbs machine’s mechanical performance can’t be overstated. It supplies a foundation for assessing its worth, estimating potential restoration prices, and figuring out its suitability for continued use. A radical inspection of the machine’s mechanical situation, ideally by a professional technician, is crucial earlier than buy. This evaluation informs each patrons and sellers, facilitating honest market valuations and guaranteeing that these historic machines are appreciated for each their mechanical ingenuity and their potential for continued operation. Preserving the mechanical performance of those machines ensures the legacy of Willcox & Gibbs’s progressive contributions to stitching know-how.
5. Situation Evaluation
Situation evaluation performs a vital function in figuring out the worth and desirability of a Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine on the market. A radical analysis supplies potential patrons with important data for knowledgeable decision-making, whereas sellers profit from correct representations of their machines’ situation. This evaluation encompasses numerous components, from beauty look to mechanical performance, every contributing to a complete understanding of the machine’s general state.
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Beauty Situation
Evaluating the beauty situation entails inspecting the machine’s exterior for indicators of damage, injury, or earlier repairs. Elements corresponding to paint chips, scratches, rust, and the presence of authentic decals contribute to this evaluation. A machine with pristine authentic paint and decals will usually command the next worth than one with important beauty imperfections. Nevertheless, even machines with beauty flaws can maintain worth, particularly if they keep authentic elements and exhibit minimal indicators of great injury or improper restoration makes an attempt.
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Mechanical Soundness
Assessing the mechanical soundness entails inspecting the machine’s inside parts for put on, injury, or malfunction. The performance of the rotary hook, the situation of the gears and bearings, and the sleek operation of the needle bar mechanism are key issues. A machine in good working order, able to producing constant stitches, holds considerably extra worth than one requiring intensive repairs. Mechanical soundness additionally impacts the machine’s potential for continued use, a vital issue for collectors and fans.
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Completeness and Originality
The completeness and originality of a Willcox & Gibbs machine considerably impression its worth. The presence of authentic equipment, such because the consumer guide, attachments, and the unique case, enhances its historic significance and desirability. Equally, machines retaining their authentic end and parts are typically extra helpful than these which have been repainted or considerably altered. Sustaining originality preserves the machine’s historic integrity and contributes to its authenticity as a historic artifact.
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Restoration Proof
Proof of earlier restoration efforts must be fastidiously evaluated. Whereas skilled restoration can improve a machine’s worth, poorly executed repairs or the usage of non-original elements can diminish its enchantment to collectors. Assessing the standard of any restoration work is essential, because it impacts each the machine’s aesthetic and mechanical integrity. Indicators of over-restoration, corresponding to extreme sharpening or repainting, may detract from the machine’s originality and historic worth.
A complete situation evaluation combines these aspects to offer an entire image of a Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine’s present state. This data empowers patrons to make knowledgeable buying selections primarily based on their particular person priorities, whether or not they prioritize originality, performance, or funding potential. Equally, sellers can make the most of this evaluation to precisely symbolize their machines, fostering transparency and constructing belief inside the collector market. This emphasis on situation evaluation finally contributes to the preservation and appreciation of those historic machines, guaranteeing their continued relevance for future generations.
6. Market Worth
Market worth constitutes a important issue influencing the shopping for and promoting of Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines. A number of interconnected components contribute to the ultimate worth a specific machine instructions. Rarity performs a big function; much less widespread fashions, particularly these with distinctive options or historic provenance, usually obtain larger valuations. Situation considerably impacts market worth; a well-preserved machine with minimal put on and tear, retaining authentic elements and finishes, instructions a premium in comparison with a machine requiring intensive restoration. Performance additionally contributes; a completely operational machine able to stitching easily holds higher worth than a non-functional machine, even when the latter possesses aesthetic enchantment. Provenance, documented possession historical past linking the machine to a notable particular person or occasion, can considerably elevate its market worth. Included equipment, corresponding to authentic manuals, attachments, and carrying circumstances, additional contribute to a machine’s general value. Lastly, present market traits, influenced by collector demand and public sale outcomes, play a dynamic function in figuring out valuations. As an example, a surge in curiosity in a specific Willcox & Gibbs mannequin can drive costs upward.
Think about two examples: a uncommon, absolutely purposeful Willcox & Gibbs chain sew machine in pristine situation with its authentic case and equipment may fetch a number of thousand {dollars} at public sale or by non-public sale. Conversely, a extra widespread mannequin in honest situation requiring mechanical repairs and lacking some equipment may promote for a couple of hundred {dollars}. This disparity highlights the substantial affect of situation, rarity, and completeness on market worth. Understanding these components empowers each patrons and sellers to make knowledgeable selections. Consumers can realistically assess a machine’s value, avoiding overpaying, whereas sellers can appropriately worth their machines to draw potential patrons. Consulting worth guides, inspecting public sale information, and fascinating with educated collectors present helpful insights into present market traits.
Precisely assessing market worth requires cautious consideration of all contributing components. Overemphasis on a single facet, corresponding to beauty situation, whereas neglecting mechanical performance or provenance, can result in misjudgments. Moreover, market values fluctuate; staying knowledgeable about present traits stays important. A practical understanding of market dynamics ensures equitable transactions, preserving the historic and collectible worth of Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines for future generations. Recognizing these market forces advantages each collectors looking for to develop their collections and people trying to promote inherited or found machines. This consciousness contributes to a sustainable market that appreciates the distinctive contributions of Willcox & Gibbs to stitching machine historical past.
7. Restoration Potential
Restoration potential considerably influences the desirability of a Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine on the market. This potential represents the probability of returning a machine to its former glory, whether or not by mechanical repairs, beauty enhancements, or a mixture of each. The extent of restoration required immediately impacts market worth and purchaser curiosity. A machine with excessive restoration potential, which means it requires minimal intervention to realize optimum situation, usually attracts collectors and fans. Conversely, a machine exhibiting intensive injury or lacking important parts may deter potential patrons as a result of complexity and value of restoration. Restoration potential acts as a bridge between a machine’s present state and its envisioned future, influencing buying selections and general market dynamics. A machine possessing excessive restoration potential, maybe requiring solely minor cleansing and lubrication, affords a comparatively simple path to a fascinating collectible. This potential will increase its attractiveness to patrons looking for a much less intensive restoration undertaking.
For instance, a Willcox & Gibbs machine with a seized rotary hook however in any other case intact parts presents a viable restoration candidate. Repairing the hook might restore full performance, considerably rising the machine’s worth. Nevertheless, a machine lacking its authentic base, faceplate, and a number of other inside mechanisms presents a more difficult restoration situation. The problem of sourcing alternative elements, coupled with the intensive labor concerned, impacts its restoration potential and consequently its market worth. One other instance entails beauty restoration. A machine with its authentic end, even when light or scratched, holds larger restoration potential than a machine stripped of its authentic paint and improperly repainted. Preserving and restoring the unique end enhances historic authenticity and collector enchantment. Conversely, correcting a poorly executed repaint requires important effort and experience, probably diminishing the machine’s worth.
Understanding restoration potential requires a nuanced method, balancing beauty and mechanical issues. A machine’s age, rarity, and general situation contribute to this evaluation. Evaluating the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of restoration is essential for each patrons and sellers. Whereas a completely restored machine instructions a premium, a machine with documented, high-quality restoration may maintain important worth. This understanding permits for lifelike valuations and fosters knowledgeable decision-making inside the marketplace for vintage stitching machines. Finally, recognizing restoration potential contributes to the preservation of those historic artifacts, guaranteeing the continued appreciation of Willcox & Gibbs’ progressive legacy inside the broader historical past of stitching know-how.
8. Funding Alternative
The intersection of “funding alternative” and “Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine on the market” presents a compelling case for collectors and people looking for tangible belongings with historic significance. Vintage stitching machines, notably these manufactured by Willcox & Gibbs, can admire in worth over time, pushed by components corresponding to rarity, situation, and rising collector demand. This potential for appreciation positions these machines as viable funding autos inside the broader vintage market. A number of components contribute to this funding potential. Rarity performs a big function; restricted manufacturing numbers of particular Willcox & Gibbs fashions, notably these with uncommon options or historic provenance, inherently limit provide. This shortage, coupled with constant or rising demand, can drive costs upward. Situation additionally considerably influences funding potential; well-preserved machines retaining authentic finishes and parts usually admire extra reliably than these requiring intensive restoration. Moreover, documented provenance, connecting a machine to a notable particular person or historic occasion, can considerably improve its worth over time. The inherent historic significance of Willcox & Gibbs machines, representing a pivotal period in stitching know-how, contributes to their long-term desirability and funding potential. In contrast to mass-produced trendy stitching machines, these vintage machines possess a finite provide, rising their potential for appreciation as they turn out to be more and more scarce.
Think about a selected instance: a uncommon Willcox & Gibbs chain sew machine in pristine situation, full with its authentic case and equipment, bought for $2,000 in 2010 may realistically fetch $5,000 or extra in at this time’s market. This hypothetical situation illustrates the potential for substantial returns on funding over time. Nevertheless, recognizing that the vintage market fluctuates is crucial; values are influenced by broader financial traits and shifts in collector curiosity. Subsequently, viewing vintage stitching machines as long-term investments fairly than short-term speculative belongings affords a extra prudent perspective. One other instance entails machines requiring restoration. A Willcox & Gibbs machine bought in non-working situation for a modest sum may, after cautious restoration, obtain a considerably larger market worth. Nevertheless, correct value projections for restoration are important to evaluate the general funding potential; intensive repairs can diminish profitability. Moreover, the standard of restoration immediately impacts last worth; skilled restoration utilizing authentic or period-appropriate elements enhances worth, whereas novice repairs may detract from it.
Investing in vintage stitching machines requires diligent analysis, cautious analysis, and a long-term perspective. Understanding the components influencing market worth, together with rarity, situation, provenance, and restoration potential, supplies a stable basis for knowledgeable decision-making. Consulting worth guides, attending auctions, and fascinating with educated collectors present helpful insights into market dynamics. Whereas potential for monetary return exists, appreciating these machines for his or her historic significance and mechanical ingenuity enhances the funding expertise. Viewing these machines as tangible items of historical past, representing a bygone period of workmanship and innovation, enriches the collector’s journey past mere monetary acquire. This method aligns funding potential with historic preservation, contributing to a sustainable marketplace for Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines and guaranteeing their continued appreciation for future generations. It merges monetary acumen with a real appreciation for historic artifacts, fostering a balanced perspective on the funding potential of those distinctive machines.
Steadily Requested Questions
This FAQ part addresses widespread inquiries concerning Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines out there on the market, offering concise and informative responses for potential patrons and collectors.
Query 1: What distinguishes Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines from different vintage machines?
Willcox & Gibbs machines are primarily identified for his or her distinctive rotary hook and chain sew mechanism, contrasting with the extra widespread lock sew discovered in lots of different vintage machines. This distinction ends in a special sew formation and sometimes makes them appropriate for lighter materials.
Query 2: How is the worth of a Willcox & Gibbs machine decided?
A number of components affect worth, together with rarity, situation (each beauty and mechanical), completeness of authentic elements and equipment, documented provenance, and present market demand. Knowledgeable appraisal can present a extra exact valuation.
Query 3: Are alternative elements available for these vintage machines?
Finding alternative elements for Willcox & Gibbs machines can current challenges because of their age and discontinued manufacturing. Specialised suppliers, on-line marketplaces, and collector networks usually function helpful sources for sourcing elements.
Query 4: What are the important thing issues when restoring a Willcox & Gibbs machine?
Preserving originality is paramount. Using period-appropriate supplies and strategies maintains historic integrity and enhances worth. If intensive repairs are vital, consulting a professional vintage stitching machine technician is advisable.
Query 5: Do these machines require specialised upkeep?
Common cleansing, lubrication, and occasional changes are important for sustaining optimum performance. Consulting interval manuals or skilled technicians can present steering on correct upkeep procedures.
Query 6: The place can one buy a Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine?
On-line marketplaces, vintage outlets, specialised stitching machine sellers, and auctions symbolize potential avenues for buying these machines. Thorough analysis and cautious inspection are really useful earlier than buy.
Understanding these key facets contributes to knowledgeable decision-making inside the specialised marketplace for Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines. Researching particular fashions, consulting specialists, and thoroughly evaluating situation empowers each patrons and sellers to have interaction confidently in transactions.
Additional sections will discover particular Willcox & Gibbs fashions, supply detailed steering on restoration strategies, and supply sources for collectors.
Suggestions for Navigating the Willcox & Gibbs Stitching Machine Market
Navigating the marketplace for Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines requires cautious consideration and knowledgeable decision-making. The next ideas present steering for potential patrons and sellers.
Tip 1: Analysis Particular Fashions: Understanding the nuances of various Willcox & Gibbs fashions is essential. Researching manufacturing dates, options, and customary points related to particular fashions informs buying selections and helps set up lifelike expectations concerning performance and worth.
Tip 2: Assess Situation Completely: A complete situation evaluation, encompassing each beauty and mechanical facets, is crucial. Analyzing the machine’s exterior for put on, injury, and originality, in addition to evaluating its mechanical performance, supplies an entire understanding of its present state and potential for restoration.
Tip 3: Confirm Authenticity: Counterfeit or misrepresented machines exist inside the vintage market. Verifying a machine’s authenticity by serial numbers, producer markings, and session with respected specialists protects in opposition to fraudulent purchases.
Tip 4: Think about Restoration Prices: If a machine requires restoration, issue potential prices into the general buy worth. Acquiring estimates from certified technicians helps decide the monetary feasibility of restoring a machine to working order or bettering its beauty situation.
Tip 5: Consider Equipment and Elements: The presence of authentic equipment, corresponding to manuals, attachments, and carrying circumstances, enhances a machine’s worth and desirability. Think about the provision and value of alternative elements when evaluating a machine, particularly if some parts are lacking or broken.
Tip 6: Seek the advice of with Specialists: Participating with skilled collectors, vintage stitching machine restore technicians, and respected sellers supplies invaluable insights. Professional opinions supply steering on authenticity, valuation, and restoration methods, facilitating knowledgeable selections.
Tip 7: Doc Provenance: If a machine possesses documented provenance, corresponding to earlier possession historical past or historic context, protect this data meticulously. Documented provenance provides to a machine’s historic significance and might considerably impression its market worth.
Implementing these methods empowers knowledgeable decision-making, safeguards in opposition to potential pitfalls, and finally contributes to accountable gathering and preservation of those historic machines. Cautious consideration of those components ensures a optimistic expertise inside the Willcox & Gibbs stitching machine market.
The following conclusion will synthesize key takeaways and supply last suggestions for participating with this specialised market.
Conclusion
Exploration of the marketplace for Willcox & Gibbs stitching machines reveals a multifaceted panorama encompassing historic significance, mechanical ingenuity, and collectible worth. These machines, distinguished by their distinctive rotary hook and chain sew mechanism, symbolize a definite chapter within the evolution of stitching know-how. Elements influencing market worth embody rarity, situation, completeness of authentic parts, and documented provenance. Restoration potential considerably impacts desirability, providing alternatives to revitalize these historic artifacts whereas preserving their inherent worth. Cautious consideration of those components empowers knowledgeable decision-making for each patrons and sellers, fostering a sustainable market that appreciates the legacy of Willcox & Gibbs.
The continued presence of those machines in the marketplace affords a tangible hyperlink to the previous, permitting collectors and fans to have interaction with a big piece of business and home historical past. Preserving these machines ensures that the progressive contributions of Willcox & Gibbs stay accessible to future generations, fostering an appreciation for the ingenuity and craftsmanship embodied in these outstanding items of stitching know-how. Participating with this specialised market requires diligent analysis, cautious analysis, and a real appreciation for the historic context surrounding these distinctive machines. Such engagement contributes to the preservation of a helpful legacy inside the broader narrative of stitching machine historical past.
