Mowtron Mower, Used as a Display Model, 1974
THF186462 / Mowtron Mower, Used as a Display Model, 1974
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Artifact Overview
"Mowtron...Mows while you Doze!" The American Marketing and Sales Company stressed computerized operation to encourage adoption of its autonomous lawn mower. The machine followed signals emitted by a transistorized guidance system, eliminating the need for homeowners to dedicate valuable time to lawn care. Built-in features like sensitized bumpers eased safety concerns, though sales fell far short of the company's dreams.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Lawn mower
Date Made
1974
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2020.131.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Plastic
Metal
Rubber (Material)
Color
Red
White (Color)
Black (Color)
Yellow (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 26.75 in
Width: 48 in
Length: 67 in
Inscriptions
on front of engine:
DEPENDABLE LONGLIFE QUALITY ENGINE / PAT. 104072 / EZEE-START / TECUMSEH / LACSON POWER PRODUCTS / ENGINES / THP
on control panel:
MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN MARKETING & SALES CORP. / ATLANTA, GEORGIA
on back:
MOWTRON
on 3 places on top of blade cover:
CAUTION / KEEP HANDS & FEET / FROM UNDER MOWER
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Related Artifacts
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Binder of Documents Related to Mowtron Lawn Mower, 1974
A licensed dealer of the "Mowtron" automated lawn mowing system, Hubert Wenzel, compiled materials in this binder. It includes information on Wenzel's company, Green Light, Inc., as well as correspondence from the Mowtron manufacturer, American Marketing and Sales Company. Newspaper clippings about other dealers and reference materials--such as the dealer training manual and the Mowtron distribution plan--document the launch of a new product.
Artifact
Signal Generator for a Mowtron Mower, 1974
"Mowtron...Mows while you Doze!" The American Marketing and Sales Company stressed computerized operation to encourage adoption of its autonomous lawn mower. The machine followed signals emitted by a transistorized guidance system, eliminating the need for homeowners to dedicate valuable time to lawn care. Built-in features like sensitized bumpers eased safety concerns, though sales fell far short of the company's dreams.
Artifact
Transformer for a Mowtron Mower, 1974
"Mowtron...Mows while you Doze!" The American Marketing and Sales Company stressed computerized operation to encourage adoption of its autonomous lawn mower. The machine followed signals emitted by a transistorized guidance system, eliminating the need for homeowners to dedicate valuable time to lawn care. Built-in features like sensitized bumpers eased safety concerns, though sales fell far short of the company's dreams.
Artifact
Circuit Board for a Mowtron Mower, 1974
"Mowtron...Mows while you Doze!" The American Marketing and Sales Company stressed computerized operation to encourage adoption of its autonomous lawn mower. The machine followed signals emitted by a transistorized guidance system, eliminating the need for homeowners to dedicate valuable time to lawn care. Built-in features like sensitized bumpers eased safety concerns, though sales fell far short of the company's dreams.
Artifact
"Mowtron Mower" Sign, 1974
"Mowtron...Mows while you Doze!" The American Marketing and Sales Company stressed computerized operation to encourage adoption of its autonomous lawn mower. The machine followed signals emitted by a transistorized guidance system, eliminating the need for homeowners to dedicate valuable time to lawn care. Built-in features like sensitized bumpers eased safety concerns, though sales fell far short of the company's dreams.
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Related Content
SetA Look at Lawn Mowers through The Henry Ford's Collections
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Since the expansion of suburban neighborhoods after the Civil War, Americans have been obsessed with maintaining the “perfect” lawn. An entire industry evolved in response to consumer demand, introducing innovative lawn care products – and new ways to market them. This group of lawn mowers and related artifacts document decades of technological improvements and changing American ideals.