![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() By 1940 the first machines were produced for the home market and were an immediate success. After successful negotiations with Tavaro SA, Geneva, a manufacturer of precision timing mechanisms for the armaments industry, which resulted in Tavaro securing the rights to the machine and enlisting his services, work finally began. However, in order to manufacture the machine it quickly became clear that more capital and modern well equipped workshops would be needed. He at first with a group of business men formed a company named Electrina from which the Elna name is derived. The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War (July 1936 to April 1939) caused him to emigrate to Switzerland to continue the development of his machine. The carry case incorporated a unique feature having the shape of the free arm cut out of its side enabling the case to extend the sewing area. The machine design included a free arm, built-in motor and light. It is thought a working prototype had been completed by 1934. Thus the idea that gave birth to the first modern household sewing machine with a free arm was conceived. His inventor's mind quickly thought of the housewife and her need to repair trouser legs or sleeves he realized that the dimensions of such a machine would need to be reduced. He was astonished by the number of special industrial machines employed which had a cylindrical arm on which tubular pieces of fabric could be sewn. It is common belief that these friends may have also included an Aunt. He remembered he had friends who had a corset factory and paid them a visit. ![]() Whilst at home he was asked to repair an old sewing machine, this gave him the opportunity to study the mechanism in which he became totally absorbed. Ramon Casas Robert returned to his parents' home in 1933 after completing his studies. Some Photographs from the NeedleBar Picture Library. Knowledge accumulated during my time with Elna and in the Industry generally. Acknowledgements: History of Sewing and Household Sewing Machines Tavaro SA Geneva 1980. ![]()
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