E. R. Leighton - Seam-ripper

E. R. Leighton - Seam-ripper 1900

Eugene Leighton was an inventor who lived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1899.  He was a creative gentleman who sought to improve the lives of people with simple, yet effective improvements.  One

of the designs he created was called a “Couch-Bed” which he secured a patent on in February of 1901.  It was similar to a day-bed which would pull out to make a full size bed. When one considers how small many of the bedrooms were in houses at the turn of the century, this invention could increase the daytime livable floor space. 

His skills were also used to create the pictured “seam-ripper” which he Patent in May of 1900.  The unique and strange design of this small scissor was created to lift the thread up with the pointed blade.  The long round handle could be held using three fingers to grip the tool in the palm of the hand and stabilize the forward motion.  After the seam was raised from the fabric, without any damage to the fabric, the index finger could be used to bring the cutting blade down on the thread. 

I don’t think that the issue was that seamstress made a lot of mistakes in the early 1900’s, rather they were thrifty and repurposed fabric.  This would make such a task quicker and easier to accomplish.  I am sure that the strange design of this little tool would become a conversation focus as well.   The bone like material of the round long handle was possibly browed from knife makers who decorated their knife handles with similar materials.  

Below is a copy of the patent design registered with the U.S. Patent office.  It shows how creative minds work!   U.S. Patent 649 939.