Treadle Collection

Grandmother using a treadle sewing machine, 1892
3479117 Grandmother using a treadle sewing machine, 1892; (add.info.: Grandmother is shown seated at a table using a treadle sewing machine, while the mother is looking after her 3 children)

Itinerant Knife Grinder sharpening blade by turning grindwheel with treadle
531809 Itinerant Knife Grinder sharpening blade by turning grindwheel with treadle. Red can over grindwheel contains lubricant. Brazier hangs on handle of cart

A turning chair and table legs on a lathe worked by a treadle
5310270 A turning chair and table legs on a lathe worked by a treadle; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a turning chair and table legs on a lathe worked by a treadle)

Making a recording on Bell & Tainter's Graphophone, 1850
3480069 Making a recording on Bell & Tainter's Graphophone, 1850; (add.info.: Making a recording on Bell & Tainter's Graphophone)

Audio-typing from a wax cylinder made on a Bell & Tainter Graphophone, 1850
3480071 Audio-typing from a wax cylinder made on a Bell & Tainter Graphophone, 1850; (add.info.: Audio-typing from a wax cylinder made on a Bell & Tainter Graphophone.The cylinder was rotated by)

Engraving depicting Bell & Tainter's Graphophone
5309395 Engraving depicting Bell & Tainter's Graphophone; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Bell & Tainter's Graphophone)

An engraving depicting different butter churns. Left: Vertical treadle butter churn
5311367 An engraving depicting different butter churns. Left: Vertical treadle butter churn. Right: a barrel churn containing an axle with fan vanes turned by a crank handle

A foot treadle floor loom, from the magazine The World and His Wife, pub.1907
3502688 A foot treadle floor loom, from the magazine The World and His Wife, pub.1907; (add.info.: A foot treadle floor loom, from the magazine The World and His Wife)

Barber brushing a client's hair
2602583 Barber brushing a client's hair; (add.info.: Barber brushing a client's hair with Willoughby's rotary hairbrush powered by a treadle fitted beneath the salon chair)

Sewing machine by Isaac Merritt Singer, 1880 (engraving)
530589 Sewing machine by Isaac Merritt Singer, 1880 (engraving); (add.info.: Sewing machine by Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875): Treadle version

Bell & Tainter's Graphophone, 1850
3480072 Bell & Tainter's Graphophone, 1850; (add.info.: Bell & Tainter's Graphophone. A recording was made by speaking into a mouthpiece while turning the wax cylinder by a treadle; as in a)

Wilson sewing machine, showing belt drive (left) from treadle, oil can (centre foreground)
538086 Wilson sewing machine, showing belt drive (left) from treadle, oil can (centre foreground), and spools for thread (right)

Peasant Family in their Cottage, 1817. Creator: Cornelis Kruseman
Peasant Family in their Cottage, 1817. Mother spinning yarn as she minds her child, while her husband fills his clay pipe with tobacco

Mrs. Ball and group at Hamilton Hotel, between 1910 and 1920. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Mrs
Mrs. Ball and group at Hamilton Hotel, between 1910 and 1920. Women sewing, USA. One uses a New Home sewing machine

Elderly woman sitting on porch spinning, c1894. Creator: Charles Richards Dodge
Elderly woman sitting on porch spinning, c1894

Meeting of the Mothers Club in Arvin camp for migrant workers, FSA camp, California, 1938. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Meeting of the Mothers Club in Arvin camp for migrant workers, Farm Security Administration (FSA) camp in California, opens with prayer. [Note Singer treadle sewing machine]

Wood Spinning Wheel, c. 1938. Creator: Arthur Matthews
Wood Spinning Wheel, c. 1938

Mechanical detail of a valuable adjunct to the office equipment (b / w photo)
6008254 Mechanical detail of a valuable adjunct to the office equipment (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Harris Sewing Machine stand. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 7H
Harris Sewing Machine, Vibrating Shuttle Treadle, Model No.7H. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 6H
Harris Sewing Machine, Drop-Head Family Machine, Model No.6H. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 4H
Harris Sewing Machine, Model No.4H. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 23H
Harris Sewing Machine, Drawing Room Cabinet, Model No.23H. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 14H
Harris Sewing Machine, Vibrating Shuttle Folding Cabinet, Model No.14H. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 12H
Harris Sewing Machine, Central Bobbin Treadle Machine, Model No.12H. 1920s

Harris Sewing Machine, Model No. 10H
Harris Sewing Machine, Vibrating Shuttle Treadle Machine, Model No.10H, with wood frame. 1920s

Harmonium (litho)
6013776 Harmonium (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Harmonium. Illustration for The Harmsworth Encylopaedia (c 1922).); © Look and Learn

Ancient Flemish loom

A turner in apron using a foot-powered treadle lathe or turning bench. Handcoloured woodcut engraving from The Book of English Trades and Library of the Useful Arts, Phillips, London, 1818

An early sewing machine. 1856

Bicycle with three wheels, the Ladies hobby, 1819 (colour litho)
CHT184305 Bicycle with three wheels, the Ladies hobby, 1819 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; English

Diagram of hand stocking frame (litho)
6013573 Diagram of hand stocking frame (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Diagram of hand stocking frame)

The Knifegrinder, 1610-85. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade
The Knifegrinder, 1610-85

Musee du Louvre;collection des dessins, Le Remouleur
Musee du Louvre; collection des dessins, Le Remouleur, par Watteau; from Magasin Pittoresque, ca. 1852

Poem by Henjo Sojo, ca. 1766. ca. 1766. Creator: Suzuki Harunobu
Poem by Henjo Sojo, ca. 1766

Hatters, milliners and tailors... 1871. Creator: Unknown
Hatters, milliners and tailors...1871. Hatters, milliners and tailors, some of whom are sitting cross-legged and sewing in the traditional way, but on centre left a sewing machine has been introduced

Staffordshire Processes, design for stained glass window, c1870, (1881). Creator: Unknown
Staffordshire Processes, design for stained glass window, c1870, (1881). Design For Window on the North Side of the Gallery...Containing Pottery in the South Kensington Museum, by William Bell Scott

Advertising postcard - New Home Sewing Machine
The worlds greatest sewing machine is the New Home made by Gonyea and Alba of Rutland, Vermont, enabling repairs to be carried out in situ...! Date: circa 1910

William Lees Clever Stocking Frame, c1934. Illustration showing a machine for knitting stockings, invented by clergyman William Lee (1563-1614) in 1589

Wire being wound into springs for spring-locks, London, 1926-1927. From Wonderful London, volume II, edited by Arthur St John Adcock, published by Amalgamated Press (London, 1926-1927)

The Treadle spinning wheel, c1880. Artist: RC
The Treadle spinning wheel, c1880. A print from Great Industries of Great Britain, Volume I, published by Cassell Petter and Galpin, (London, Paris, New York, c1880)

The Weaver, 16th century, (1870). Artist: Jost Amman
The Weaver, 16th century, (1870). A wood engraving from The Arts of the Middle Ages and at the Period of the Renaissance, by Paul Lacroix, (London, 1870)

Knife grinder, 1808. Artist: William Henry Pyne
Knife grinder, 1808. An itinerant knife grinder using a treadle to turn his grindstone mounted on a barrow. His dog lies patiently at front right

Turning wood, 1754. Artist: I Hinton
Turning wood, 1754, taken from the New and Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences - Supplement (1754) by J Barlow. The plate shows two scenes of wood turning with two different kinds of treadle

Sewing machine by Isaac Merritt Singer, 1880. A woman operating a treadle version of the sewing machine invented by Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875) in 1851

Turner Working a Lathe
A turner using a treadle- operated turning-lathe to carve a piece of wood Date: 1827

The Loom for the making of Velvet (Vol VI Pl. XXII) 18th century (print)
XND70147 The Loom for the making of Velvet (Vol VI Pl. XXII) 18th century (print) by Anonymous; Private Collection; out of copyright

Sack mending by machine, Coultershaw Mill, Petworth, August 1949 George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N32097A

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The treadle, a mechanical wonder of its time, has left an indelible mark on various aspects of history. From the wood spinning wheel crafted by Arthur Matthews in 1938 to the valuable adjunct it became in office equipment, this ingenious invention revolutionized many industries. One can't help but marvel at the intricate mechanical details that make up the treadle. Whether it was attached to a Harris Sewing Machine stand or part of models like No. 7H, No. 6H, No. 4H, No. 23H, No. 14H, No. 12H, or even No. 10H - each iteration showcased its versatility and adaptability. But beyond sewing machines and office equipment lies another realm where the treadle found its purpose - music. The harmonium litho stands as a testament to how this humble contraption could create beautiful melodies when combined with other instruments. And let us not forget about its historical significance in textile production as well. The ancient Flemish loom is a prime example of how the treadle played an integral role in weaving fabrics that adorned countless lives throughout centuries. As we reflect upon these glimpses into the past and admire their craftsmanship and innovation, we are reminded of how something as seemingly simple as a treadle could shape entire industries and leave behind lasting legacies for generations to come.