Elias Howe was an American inventor and sewing machine innovator. He is credited with inventing the first practical sewing machine in 1846, which revolutionized the clothing industry. Howe's invention was based on the idea of using a lockstitch design, which allowed the machine to use two threads at once. His invention was so successful that it was quickly adopted by manufacturers around the world. Howe received numerous awards and accolades for his invention, including the prestigious John Scott Medal from the Franklin Institute in 1847.