Horse-Powered Machine Used to Run Separator at the Ford Homestead Barn, 1924

Summary

As farmers mechanized barn and farmyard work in the nineteenth century, they began to use stationary power sources. Some invested in "sweeps," which converted energy generated by horses walking in a circle into power to operate large machines like grain threshers or separators. Sweep operators hauled these devices on specially designed wagons from farm to farm during threshing season.

As farmers mechanized barn and farmyard work in the nineteenth century, they began to use stationary power sources. Some invested in "sweeps," which converted energy generated by horses walking in a circle into power to operate large machines like grain threshers or separators. Sweep operators hauled these devices on specially designed wagons from farm to farm during threshing season.

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

07 October 1924

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1660.P.188.6422

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in

Width: 11.25 in

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