The 1800s progression of mechanical sewing
Until the 19th century all clothes, hats, shoes, harness and ships sails were sewed by hand.
Deere’s short-lived involvement in autos
Sam Moore shares a passage Elmer J. Baker Jr. (1889-1964), a longtime commentator on the farm implement scene, wrote of the short-lived Deere-Clark car.
Scratching the surface of the little Utilitor tractor
Many years ago, Nancy and I attended a tractor show at Malabar Farm, probably put on by the Richland County Steam Threshers. Established by...
A look back at early manufacturers of crawler tractors
Crawler tractors have quite the history.
Crawlers: Gaining traction around the farm
The concept of a vehicle that carries, lays and then picks up its own tracks after passing over them has been around for centuries.
Building a high quality carriage is an art
Building a high quality body for a carriage “was an art in itself,” and even a good carpenter or cabinet maker would be unable to do it properly.
Futuristic Oliver, built on shoestring, still head turner
On February 23, 1929, Charles City, Iowa, residents read startling news in the Charles City Daily Press: There was to be a $50 million merger between the Hart-Parr Company, one of the city’s major firms, the Oliver Plow Works and Nichols & Shepard Company.
Tractor pioneer remembered for his legacy
On Jan. 2, 2011, at the ripe old age of 96, Harold Brock from Waterloo, Iowa, died peacefully at his home. So what, you...
Dear I.H., ‘we can’t be without our tractor’
In 1919, International Harvester Company published 48 letters from satisfied operators describing how they used their tractors and how reliable they were.
Pioneer corn shuckin’ was a jolly good time
Corn shucking was quite the community event, especially for the young folks.
