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Show Machine Started Big Industry. Upon the lnieiitlou of a mnclilne for sewing leather shoes, for which the patent uis Issued to Gordon Sic- Kn.. April ISI, 1 Ri-. was built the great boot nnd shoo Industry of the United States. .JlcKuy. purchased, n ISri!), Klake's sewing machine; which wns one simply using wax thread, with a stationary horn attached. While the ihachlne Intended for sewing boots and shoes operated well In parts of Hie work, It failed In stitching heels and toes. McKay i bunged the feeding apparatus. Introduced automatic eon-Irlvanees, eon-Irlvanees, and llunll.v wiih successful In adapting It to all kinds of work. After the liieiiiihiT out of the Civil war. McKny began to make army shoes, and In 1SH- muile contracts with (12 llrms for their use. In 18Tt!, 1,500 wero In operation. These machines have been used lu foreign countries, and morn than lOO.OOO.OOO shoes are anuiially niado on them hi the United StHtes. |