The variety of inventions used in shoe factories is rather bewildering, every one of the many processes having
a machine of its own, and each of these doing its work with admirable precision. We can name here only the
more important of these implements.
First comes the clicking machine. This has a cutting board resembling that used by the hand workmen. Over
this is a beam containing a cutting die under which the leather is passed. At every descent of the die a piece of
leather is cut out of the skin of the size and shape needed for the upper leather of a shoe. Thus in an instant is
done what was slowly done by a sharp knife moved around a pattern in the old method.
The piece of leather thus cut out is next passed under the skiving machine, which shaves down its edges to a
bevel, the thinned edge being then folded, after which the toe caps are passed through a punching machine
which cuts a series of ornamental perforations along the edge of the cap. The linings of the shoe are then
prepared and put in place and the whole goes to the stitchers, by which all the parts of the upper are united.
This is done by a range of machines, which perform the varied operations with wonderful rapidity and
accuracy. The eyelets are next added by a machine which places them in both sides of the shoe at the same
time and directly opposite each other, this operation finishing the upper part of the shoe.


what is the central idea?