Although Elias Howe is the official inventor of the sewing machine, Isaac Merritt Singer can be credited with developing the first practical model that could be mass produced. In 1850, Singer designed the lock-stitch sewing machine in his small Boston machine shop. It was developed in only 11 days with a mere $40 in capital. This machine revolutionized sewing across the globe. Today, Singer sewing machines are distributed in more than 150 countries.