Spool of Wire, Used with a Mowtron Mower, 1974
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Artifact Overview
This spool of electrical wire was a component of an early-1970s automated lawn mowing system known as "Mowtron." Hubert Wenzel, a licensed Mowtron dealer, laid the wire under his suburban lawn in a predetermined pattern. When linked to an isolation transformer, it operated as a closed electrical circuit -- part of the transistorized system that guided the self-propelled, gasoline-powered Mowtron mower.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Spool
Date Made
1974
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2020.131.11
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wire
Wood (Plant material)
Color
Red
Light brown
Dimensions
Height: 12.813 in
Width: 11.875 in
Length: 11.813 in
Inscriptions
on top:
GREEN LINE INC. / 11105 ECHO CREST / INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / 46280 / 10,000 / C4W. 3 OF 5 / White Int[...]nal Wire / #19(1) Season Wire / PO #131 / 10,000 Red
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Related Artifacts
ArtifactMowtron Mower, Used by Hubert Wenzel, 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.
ArtifactMowtron Mower, Used as a Display Model, 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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