Use It or Lose It: 1934 White Rotary Century of Progress

This is #9 in the review of sewing machines in my collection: a 1934 White Rotary Chicago World's Fair Century of Progress machine.

This machine has been with me for 7 or 8 years, it came from an estate sale in the Chicago land area. While the World's Fair in Chicago was indeed held in 1933-34, it is difficult to say if this machine was actually sold at the fair (it is possible that White Sewing Machine Company had a booth at the fair), or if the badge was just added to machines sold during that time in commemoration of the fair.

Whatever the case, it's a pretty cool looking tag, isn't it? This is also an interesting finish on this machine, which is sometimes referred to as crinkled, wrinkled, and affectionately nick-named "Godzilla" finish by sewing machine collectors.

I won't get rid of this machine, but I also don't sew on it. Instead of a belt drive, this model employs a direct rubber wheel, or pulley to drive the machine. I never did like the feel of sewing with a pulley driven machine, and since this one is worn out, I never did replace it.

I still have all the accessories and manual to this machine, and I think this would be a prime candidate for being converted to a hand crank in the future. But for now this machine lives on top of a bookshelf in our dining room, right next to that New Wheeler Vibrating Shuttle. Which means that even if I'm not in my sewing room, it's pretty likely that I can still see a sewing machine or two!

If you'd like to see some of the other machines in my collection, you can click back to read about these oldies but goodies:

#8. Singer 319W
#7. 1957 Singer 221
#6. 1934 Singer 99-13
#3, #4, and #5. 1922 Singer 66, C.1900 Vibrating Shuttle, and Singer 114K103
#2. 1919 Singer 128

#1. 1901 Singer 15-30 Custom