Broadcast Seeder, circa 1870

01

Artifact Overview

The hand-cranked spinning disk of this broadcast seeder -- patented by Jacob Kurtz in 1870 -- distributed grass or grain seed quickly to a wide area. Broadcast seeders were an improvement over tossing out seeds by hand. John Edison, a relative of Thomas Edison, likely used it when farming in Kent County, Michigan.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Broadcast seeder

Date Made

circa 1870

Creators

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.1384.23

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Harold Edison.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Iron (Metal)

Color

Brown
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 47.5 in
Width: 14 in
Length: 25 in

Inscriptions

on iron bracket: PAT. MAR. 22 / 70