Oliver Plow, 1870-1929
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Artifact Overview
"Chilled" cast iron was the latest thing in plows in the 1870s, a process perfected by James A. Oliver, of South Bend, Indiana. The chilling process involved cooling the cast iron with water, hardening the metal. It polished like steel, allowing it to pull through the soil easily. A copy of this plow is used at Greenfield Village's Firestone Farm.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Plow (Agricultural equipment)
Date Made
1870-1929
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2014.5.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Family of Wayne G. Lilly.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Iron (Metal)
Paint (Coating)
Color
Brown
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 37.5 in
Width: 29.75 in
Length: 93 in
Inscriptions
On both sides of beam:
MANF'D BY/ OLIVER CHILLED PLOW WORKS/ SOUTH BEND IND. U.S.A.
oN TOP OF BEAM: 40
On back of blade: 40 OLIVER
On brace: R40 0Y380
On brace: WV186
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