born Oct. 27, 1811, Pittstown, N.Y., U.S.
died July 23, 1875, Torquay, Devon, Eng.
U.S. inventor and manufacturer.
He became an apprentice machinist at 19. He patented a rock-drilling machine (1839) and a metal-and wood-carving machine (1849) before producing an improved version of sewing machine in 1851 and soon thereafter founding I.M. Singer & Co. (see {{link=Singer NV">Singer Co. ) to manufacture it. Howe's successful patent-infringement suit against him in 1854 did not prevent Singer from manufacturing his machine, and his company was soon the world's largest sewing-machine producer. He patented numerous further improvements in the technology; he also pioneered the use of installment credit plans.