View of Early Holt Steam Caterpillar Tractor, circa 1900

American inventor and entrepreneur Benjamin Holt envisioned a practical mechanical alternative to horse-drawn machinery. He designed a continuous track propulsion system - seen on this early model - for the steam traction engine. Holt's company, driven by these innovative "caterpillar" treads, became an industry leader and eventually evolved into the hugely successful Caterpillar manufacturing corporation.