The Lawn Mower: 176 Years Old
An English engineer invented the reel lawn mower in 1832 after seeing a bladed cutting reel in a cloth mill. Gas-powered models appeared in the 1890s, with the first modern riding mower taking shape about 100 years ago.
Edwin Beard Budding was the pioneer, the English engineer who invented the reel lawn mower. In the 1830s, he went into partnership with John Ferrabee, and together they made mowers in a factory at Stroud, Gloucestershire, England.
Budding’s patent stated, in part, “country gentlemen may find in using my machine themselves an amusing, useful and healthy exercise.”
These early machines were made of cast iron and featured a large rear roller with a cutting cylinder (reel) in the front (see photo). Cast iron gear wheels transmitted power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder. Overall, these machines were remarkably similar to modern mowers.
A photo of the original mower design from 1832 is part of a slide show illustrating lawn mower history at the Ransomes Jacobsen web site. Photo:http://www.ransomesjacobsen.com
Budding and Ferrabee were shrewd enough to allow other companies to build copies of their mower under license, the most successful of these being Ransomes of Ipswich which began making mowers as early as 1832. The company has made mowers virtually continuously ever since, and is now the world’s largest manufacturer of lawn care equipment (according to U.K.-based The Old Lawnmower Club).
The rise in popularity of sports such as lawn tennis, croquet, cricket, football and rugby helped prompt innovation during this period. By the 1850s, Budding’s early patents had lapsed and other companies were able to introduce their own machines.
Motorized mowers appeared in the 1890s as lightweight gasoline engines and small steam power units became available. Although steam mowers were the preferred choice for a few years, by 1900 gas mowers were winning the market. Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies introduced a petrol engine mower in 1902, and led the market until the First World War.
The period immediately after World War One saw an unprecedented growth in lawn mower production. Technology had advanced, companies needed to find new markets for peacetime products, and customers were moving to new suburban housing with small gardens.
One of the most successful companies to emerge during this period was Atco, at that time a brand name of Charles H Pugh Ltd. The Atco motor mower, launched in 1921 was an immediate success. Just 900 of the 22-inch-cut machines were made in 1921, each costing £75. Within five years, annual production had accelerated to tens of thousands. Prices were cut and a range of sizes was available, making the Standard the first truly mass-produced motor mower.
Surprisingly, seemingly modern ideas such as electric power and rotary cutting were all tried out in the 1920s and 30s, although they did not become popular until much later. Innovations in the 1930s and 40s led to lighter designs and smaller, more powerful petrol engines. By the 1950s lawn mower technology had advanced greatly and machines were inexpensive and generally reliable. The introduction of plastic components in the 1960s reduced costs further still, although the designs were similar.
The major innovation of the last thirty years has been the rotary ‘hover’ mower, made possible by widespread use of lightweight plastics and high-power, lightweight electric and petrol motors. The first ‘hover’ mowers were introduced by Flymo in the early 1960s.
Edwin Beard Budding was the pioneer, the English engineer who invented the reel lawn mower. In the 1830s, he went into partnership with John Ferrabee, and together they made mowers in a factory at Stroud, Gloucestershire, England.
Budding’s patent stated, in part, “country gentlemen may find in using my machine themselves an amusing, useful and healthy exercise.”
These early machines were made of cast iron and featured a large rear roller with a cutting cylinder (reel) in the front (see photo). Cast iron gear wheels transmitted power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder. Overall, these machines were remarkably similar to modern mowers.
A photo of the original mower design from 1832 is part of a slide show illustrating lawn mower history at the Ransomes Jacobsen web site. Photo:http://www.ransomesjacobsen.com
Budding and Ferrabee were shrewd enough to allow other companies to build copies of their mower under license, the most successful of these being Ransomes of Ipswich which began making mowers as early as 1832. The company has made mowers virtually continuously ever since, and is now the world’s largest manufacturer of lawn care equipment (according to U.K.-based The Old Lawnmower Club).
The rise in popularity of sports such as lawn tennis, croquet, cricket, football and rugby helped prompt innovation during this period. By the 1850s, Budding’s early patents had lapsed and other companies were able to introduce their own machines.
Motorized mowers appeared in the 1890s as lightweight gasoline engines and small steam power units became available. Although steam mowers were the preferred choice for a few years, by 1900 gas mowers were winning the market. Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies introduced a petrol engine mower in 1902, and led the market until the First World War.
The period immediately after World War One saw an unprecedented growth in lawn mower production. Technology had advanced, companies needed to find new markets for peacetime products, and customers were moving to new suburban housing with small gardens.
One of the most successful companies to emerge during this period was Atco, at that time a brand name of Charles H Pugh Ltd. The Atco motor mower, launched in 1921 was an immediate success. Just 900 of the 22-inch-cut machines were made in 1921, each costing £75. Within five years, annual production had accelerated to tens of thousands. Prices were cut and a range of sizes was available, making the Standard the first truly mass-produced motor mower.
Surprisingly, seemingly modern ideas such as electric power and rotary cutting were all tried out in the 1920s and 30s, although they did not become popular until much later. Innovations in the 1930s and 40s led to lighter designs and smaller, more powerful petrol engines. By the 1950s lawn mower technology had advanced greatly and machines were inexpensive and generally reliable. The introduction of plastic components in the 1960s reduced costs further still, although the designs were similar.
The major innovation of the last thirty years has been the rotary ‘hover’ mower, made possible by widespread use of lightweight plastics and high-power, lightweight electric and petrol motors. The first ‘hover’ mowers were introduced by Flymo in the early 1960s.
If you have an old lawn mower, we would proudly display any antique mowers at Greenscape Gardens. Call, write or email us. Generations of young people would marvel at these tools.
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