Blair & Fiske "Easy" Lawn Mower, 1881-1884

01

Artifact Overview

Lawns require regular maintenance. First patented in the United States in 1868, cylinder- or reel-type mowers became an enduring, affordable option for anyone with a small lawn. The basic form consisted of blades that rotated around a horizontal axis, cutting the grass as the user pushed the machine. The Blair & Fiske Manufacturing Company produced this "Easy" model lawn mower in the early 1880s.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Lawn mower

Date Made

1881-1884

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2017.0.34.780

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cast Iron
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Black (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 48 in
Width: 20 in
Length: 16 in

Inscriptions

on side: 'EASY' / LAWN MOWER / B. & F. MFG. CO. / SPRINGFIELD, MASS., U.S.A. on side: PAT'D OCT. 7, 1879 / " " 19, 1880. / " " NOV. 16, ". / JUNE 28, / 1881.
Blair & Fiske "Easy" Lawn Mower, 1881-1884