Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1896 — Needles. [ARTICLE]

Needles.

The needle is one of the most ancient instruments of which we have any record. The first account that history gives of the manufacture of needles Is that they were made at Nuremburg In 1730; and, while the date of their first manufacture In England is in doubt, ft is said to have commenced in that country about 1543 or 1545, and it Is asserted that the art was practiced by a Spanish negro or native of India, who died without disclosing the secret of his process. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth this Industry was revived, and has been continued ever since. Christopher Greening and a Mr. Darner established needle factories at Long Crendon. near Redditch, in England, in 1650, and these were soon followed by other London needle makers, y Redditch is still the center of English needle manufacture. The eyes of the earliest needles were square. Many unsuccessful attempts were made to ■bring out the so-called “drill-eyed” needles before they were finally introduced in 1826. Two years later the burnishing machine in which the eyes of needles are polished was completed. In this machine the needles are strung on a steel wire which is caused to revolve rapidly, and thereby impart a beautiful finish to the eye.