The Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1857 by James Edward Allen Gibbs and James Willcox with the first machines being finished in November 1858.
The company had a London office in 1861 at 1 Ludgate Hill and this moved to 135 Regent Street in 1864. By 1871 the company opened a second office as its Chief Office for Europe at 150 Cheapside, London, this office was later moved (post 1885) to 94 - 96 Wigmore Street, then 37 & 39 Moorgate Street (by 1891 to post December 1908) and by December 1909 20 Fore Street, London.
Right from the initial production the manufacturing of the Company's single thread, chain stitch machine was undertaken by Brown & Sharpe, Rhode Island and this continued up until 1948.
A special hand crank mechanism was produced in England for the European market, but the general design of the Willcox & Gibbs remained essentially the same throughout its production. The only major improvement was in 1875 when the glass tension discs were replaced with an automatic tension device which ensured the machine could not get out of adjustment.
In addition to the domestic hand and treadle machines the company produced a wide range of industrial models.
The Company finally closed in 1973.