The lasting machine was an invention created by Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1889) . This machine brought major changes to the production of shoes. Matzeliger had his lasting machine patented in 1883. The image above is the original schematic. Jan Matzeliger was born in Suriname and later emigrated to the United States. At an early age he demonstrated talent for mechanics. His interest grew leading him to make inventions of his own. One problem in the 19th century was the production of shoes. Shoes were at a time made by hand. To replicate the same size a mold had to be from either stone or wood. That was known as a last. The last would be the basis for the shoe size and shape. The biggest challenge was joining the soles to the upper shoe. The machine that Jan Matzeliger created was able to solve the problem of slow shoe production. Now a shoe producer could produce more in a day and not be concerned about errors in the molding of the shoes. Matzeliger did most of his engineering work in Lynn, Massachusetts. He moved there in 1877 with an interest in the town's growing shoe industry. Starting off as an apprentice, Cordwainers are shoemakers that produce them from leather. Matzeliger noted that the lasting process was not as efficient as it could be. Using his skills that he gained as a mechanic, began building a machine to aid in production. Prior to coming to America Jan Matzeliger worked as a mechanic on a Dutch East Indies merchant ship. The lasting machine that he made reduced the cost of footwear. This enabled more shoes to be produced. A total of 700 pairs of shoes could be made in a day. Jan Matzeliger lasting machine became a major success. The Consolidated Lasting Machine Company was formed in 1889 with Matzeliger having a large portion of the stock. Unfortunately, he did not live to enjoy his success contracting tuberculosis. Jan Matzeliger continues to be remembered as one of the important black inventors. Without the lasting machine modern shoe production would not have been possible.
