Needle threader in small case

Needle threader in small case, patented by John Bailey Surgey of Lidlington Place, St Pancras, London, in 1855 - patent number 719.

Surgey wrote in his patent, 'In the ordinary instruments for treading needles, the thread is passed through a conical or funnel-shaped aperture, which guides it into the eye of the needle... This is inconvenient, and in cases where the thread is alrady attached to a piece of work, it cannot be done... Now, by my improvements the guide or funnel is so made as to form an efficient guide for the thread, and yet to allow of its being readily released.' To do this, he designed the funnel to be made in two or more pieces which formed a true guide when closed together, but which could easily be opened.