A 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.
Scythe, circa 1840
Model of Horse-Drawn Mowing Machine, circa 1875
This model mowing machine model features a "sickle bar" mechanism — triangular blades attached to a bar that oscillated back and forth as draft animals moved the machine forward. Lawn mower manufacturers scaled down the sickle bar mechanism to suit smaller grass-cutting jobs.
Lawn Mower, 1868
After the Civil War, as suburbs grew up around cities, practical automatic mowers in a range of designs made it much easier for the average homeowner to maintain a neatly trimmed lawn — which soon became a sign of arrival into the middle class. Pushing this mower activated a chain drive, which powered the sickle bar's cutting motion.
Lawn Mower, 1875-1885
Lawn Mower
Chadborn & Coldwell Lawn Mower, 1880-1890
The Hills Archimedean "Charter Oak" Lawn Mower, 1872-1900
To set their product apart from competitors, mower manufacturers marketed a wide range of features — both functional and decorative. Advertisements touted this embellished "Charter Oak" model as "the most beautiful and perfect Lawn Mower in the world."
Trade Card for the New Model Mower, Chadborn & Coldwell Mfg. Co., circa 1888
Though early mowers were often heavy and hard to push, trade cards like this one suggested that — with the right model — mowing the lawn could be "like a walk in the park" or "so easy a child could do it."
Moto-Mower Lawn Mower, 1920-1929
Lauson Company Type RSV-800 Lawn Mower, circa 1940
As with hand-operated mowers, manufacturers offered power mowers in multiple configurations, but a standard cutting mechanism — a single rotating blade — soon emerged. This fashionable gasoline-powered mower, sold through Montgomery Ward, featured a rear wheel that helped operators turn with ease.
Craftsman Model 80 Lawn Mower, 1952-1955
Dille & McGuire Manufacturing Company Catalog, "Rotary Reel & Hand Lawn Mowers," 1956
Power and hand mowers remained marketable into the 21st century. Dille & McGuire, a mower manufacturer since the 1870s, offered versions of both styles — including an electric model — in this 1956 catalog.
"Let me do it:" Fairbanks-Morse Riding Lawn Mower, May 14, 1955
International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy Tractor, circa 1955
Riding Lawn Mower Production Model, circa 1964
Advertisement, "New Toro Lawn Mower Bags 5 Bushels of Leaves a Minute!," 1960
Roto-Hoe Company Sales Brochure, "Turf-Star II Islander: The Sophisticated Riding Mower Now with Automatic Drive," 1972
Roto-Hoe Company's Turf-Star II Islander riding mower not only offered automatic drive — it could pick up, shred, and bag grass clippings or leaves.
Huffman Manufacturing Company Catalog, "Huffy Leisure Makers for 1969"
Mowtron Mower, Used as a Display Model, 1974
Efforts to reduce the physical labor and time required to maintain lawns led to the autonomous Mowtron. It offered the ultimate in convenience — no human operator required! The machine circled lawns in a pattern defined by buried wire (part of Mowtron's transistorized underground guidance system). The designers retained the look of a riding mower but used fiberglass rather than durable metal, as no human need ever take a seat.
