500A Slant-O-Matic Rocketeer
This machine is one of my hard working Singer models. Singer “launched” the Model 500 in 1961 at the height of the “Space Age”. These machines were known as "Rocketeers" because of their slick aerodynamic styling inspired by rocket craze of their time. The Model 500 series of machines is historically significant because they were the last of the great all-metal Singer sewing machines. The 500 was the culmination in the evolution of the 300 and 400 series of “Slant Needle” sewing machines. Like its predecessor, the 401, the 500 was based on the basic shape and function of the Singer Model 301 slant-needle sewing machine which was built for speed. The 401 started with the basic shape and function of the 301, but was a more capable top loading, horizontal, rotary hook zigzag machine loaded with features. The 501 had all the capabilities of the mighty 401, but in a better, easier to use design with improved ergonomics. The 501 introduced a useful numbered dial to control the presser foot pressure which was elegantly located under the streamlined face plate. The inside of the face plate has an instruction diagram you can reference when threading the machine. The 500A is also double needle capable which allows the user to load a single twin needle or two single needles side by side for twin needle sewing. This capability has many advantages. In addition to being zigzag capable, the 500 is externally and internally cam driven. The 500 has 7 different blind stich and multi-step zigzag patterns. Additionally, Singer offered 23 different cams which sew many different functional stitches and decorative patterns – all of which are primary patterns as well. These external cams were called “Fashion Discs”, were made of bakelite, and are loaded into the top of the machine under a space-age looking oval cover. To sew, you open the cover. When you do this, it gives you access to the bobbin winder and the cam chamber, and the thread spool pins automatically pop up like rockets on a launch pad. The underside of the oval cover has a chart with all the stich pattern information for quick reference while you sew – very NASA-like.
When my Model 500 Slant-O-Matic Rocketeer was made in 1961, the USA was in the midst of the Space Race against the Soviet Union. Rockets and fast jets influenced everything from fashion, rocket planes, rocket-like automobiles, rocketeer sewing machines, and even rocket trains.
