American Industry Started About 1860
It was not until about the year 1860 that elastic web weaving was introduced into this country, although for a number of years previous England and Germany, and also France in a small way, had found here a market for their product, particularly in cords, braids and shoe goring, which at that particular time was fast growing in popularity. About 1860, a few looms which had been used, were brought over from England and located at Easthampton, Mass., and the manufacture of shoe goring commenced. The rubber thread required was for some time imported from England. The business grew rapidly, and factories were established in a number of cities, more particularly at Boston, Lowell and Brockton, Mass., Bridgeport, Conn., and Camden, N. J. An unfortunate labor dispute took place about the year 1890, which developed into a long-drawn out strike, ultimately precipitating friction between the shoe trade and the goring web manufacturers, which finally ended in a positive boycott of this product from which the trade has never recovered. Most of the looms which were up to this time devoted to shoe goring have been remodeled and are now used in the making of other types of elastic fabrics. In passing, it may be interesting to note that some of the looms originally brought from England 60 years ago are still in operation and doing excellent work along other lines.