C H A N D L E R VA U G H A N

THE INVENTION OF THE STEEL PLOW

Deere’s second manufactured plow

PARTS OF JOHN DEERE’S PLOW

HISTORY OF THE PLOW

• The first plows were used around 4,000 B.C.E. in Mesopotamia• Then, they were only large sticks pointed with

oxen horns that were pulled or pushed through the ground.

Map of where the first plow was used

DEVELOPMENTS

• The plow first developed in Egypt around 2,000 B.C.E.• To increase tillage speed, the Egyptians added a

wider furrow, or sod cutting portion to the plow.• In the 11th century B.C.E., the Israelites added an

iron share to the plow, decreasing cultivation time.

THE PLOW IN WESTERN EUROPE

• In England several more advances were made to the plow:• Jethro Tull added a cutting portion to the plow to slice the

hard sod along with interchangeable parts• Robert Ransome added a cast iron plow share and a self-

sharpening blade• Lastly, while serving as Minister to France, Thomas

Jefferson created a mathematical formula to create rows during the plowing process.

PLOW IN EASTERN AMERICA

• The iron plow was brought over with the settlers to the first settlement at Jamestown.

• By 1650 the Virginia Colony had over 150 plows.• The iron plow worked excellent in the east due to the sandy

soil characteristics

Interpretation of the tobacco industry in Jamestown

WESTWARD EXPANSION

• After the Louisiana Purchase, America was free to travel past the Mississippi River

• After arrival the settlers noticed that the iron plow had several flaws in breaking and cultivating the soil.

• The soil in the Midwest had a characteristic that caused it to stick to the iron plow.

Depiction of the constant scraping to remove the dirt from the iron plow

SOLVING THE PROBLEM

• In reality, the first steel plow was not created by John Deere. It was created by John Lane.• Lane discovered and created the first steel plow

four years before Deere.• Lane is not credited with the discovery because

he did not publicize his invention and did not apply for a patent

JOHN DEERE BEFORE THE PLOW

• John Deere, before inventing the steel plow, lived as a blacksmith in Rutland, Vermont.

• As his business began to decline, Deere sold his shop to his father in law and left the sale’s proceeds to his wife and four children.

• Soon after Deere moved to Grand Detour, Illinois and opened a new blacksmithing business.

THE INVENTION

• Soon after arrival, Deere heard of the issues of cultivation.• To begin the solution, Deere visited a local

sawmill and took a broken steel sawmill blade.• He then heated and hammered the blade into the

shape of a plow share.

THE INVENTION(CONT.)

• After the shaping process, Deere crafted the steel to the previously iron plow share and began to test it.

• The first plow was tested at the farm of Joseph Brieton just south of Grand Detour.

• After several trials, Deere’s plow withstood all tests and did not retain the sticky traits of the iron plow.

Photograph depicting the appearance of the first steel plow

PUBLICATION

• Word of mouth advertising quickly spread the news of the steel plow• Deere’s business quickly expanded over the next

several years. Plows were sold at twelve dollars a piece to remain marketable and competitive.• In 1840 – forty plows• In 1841 – seventy-five• In 1842 – one hundred• In 1843 – four hundred

EXPANSION OF THE BUSINESS

• For the remainder of the 19th century, Deere’s business continued to prosper.• The century was characterized by relocations,

executive changes, mergers, and expansion.• One major milestone came in 1878, when Deere

and Company experienced its first million dollar sales year.

JOHN DEERE TODAY

• From his first plow, John Deere created a company that is today, the largest manufacturer and supplier of farm implements.

• His sales revenues have grown from under one thousand per year to today where his worldwide company grosses billions of dollars per year.

• John Deere’s invention of the steel plow gave the expansionists the ability to permanently settle the Midwest

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