Josef Madersperger

In 1807, he began development of the sewing machine, spending all his savings and leisure time on it.

In 1841, he received a bronze medal from the Austrian Trade Association (Österreichischer Gewerbeverein).

Madersperger died on 2 October 1850, spending only three months with his wife in Vienna's almshouse.

Vienna's tailors' guild erected a crucifix made of cast iron, and continues to maintain the grave.

The almshouse was replaced around 1955–1957 by a community-subsidized tenement building which the lodgers call Madersperger-Hof.