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- Gilson Brothers Company Catalog, "Gilson Riding Mowers," 1972 - With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its explosive growth in the years that followed World War II, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession.
- 1972
- Collections - Artifact
Gilson Brothers Company Catalog, "Gilson Riding Mowers," 1972
With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its explosive growth in the years that followed World War II, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession.
- Roto-Hoe Company Sales Brochure, "Turf-Star II Islander: The Sophisticated Riding Mower Now with Automatic Drive," 1972 - With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its explosive growth in the years that followed World War II, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession.
- 1972
- Collections - Artifact
Roto-Hoe Company Sales Brochure, "Turf-Star II Islander: The Sophisticated Riding Mower Now with Automatic Drive," 1972
With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its explosive growth in the years that followed World War II, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession.
- Model of Mowing Machine, circa 1867, Used in Patent Infringement Case -
- circa 1867
- Collections - Artifact
Model of Mowing Machine, circa 1867, Used in Patent Infringement Case
- Henry Ford Driving a Reaper, July 1936 -
- July 10, 1936
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford Driving a Reaper, July 1936
- Prototype Lawn Mower, Designed by Norman Swanson, circa 1956 - Norman Swanson created this prototype lawn mower that he used to mow his family's land in suburban Warrenville, Illinois. He configured a multiple-cutter system and mounted it under his International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy tractor. He also designed a deflector above the blades to better pulverize the grass clippings. Swanson received patents for these two lawn mowing innovations in 1959.
- circa 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Prototype Lawn Mower, Designed by Norman Swanson, circa 1956
Norman Swanson created this prototype lawn mower that he used to mow his family's land in suburban Warrenville, Illinois. He configured a multiple-cutter system and mounted it under his International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy tractor. He also designed a deflector above the blades to better pulverize the grass clippings. Swanson received patents for these two lawn mowing innovations in 1959.
- Huffman Manufacturing Company Catalog, "Huffy Outdoor Power Equipment," 1972 - With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its explosive growth in the years that followed World War II, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession.
- 1972
- Collections - Artifact
Huffman Manufacturing Company Catalog, "Huffy Outdoor Power Equipment," 1972
With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its explosive growth in the years that followed World War II, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession.
- D.S. Morgan & Company "New Clipper" Mower, 1885-1894 -
- 1885-1894
- Collections - Artifact
D.S. Morgan & Company "New Clipper" Mower, 1885-1894
- Lawn Mower, 1868 - In the years following the American Civil War, improved transit allowed suburbs to grow around cities. Well-kept lawns were a key feature of a suburban home, and the lawn mower was an essential tool. A chain drive powered the sideways cutting action of this early push mower.
- 1868
- Collections - Artifact
Lawn Mower, 1868
In the years following the American Civil War, improved transit allowed suburbs to grow around cities. Well-kept lawns were a key feature of a suburban home, and the lawn mower was an essential tool. A chain drive powered the sideways cutting action of this early push mower.
- The Hills Archimedean "Charter Oak" Lawn Mower, 1872-1900 - Lawns require regular maintenance. First patented in the United States in 1868, cylinder- or reel-type mowers became an enduring, affordable option for anyone with a small lawn. The basic form consisted of blades that rotated around a horizontal axis, cutting the grass as the user pushed the machine. Advertisements touted this "Charter Oak" model as "the most beautiful and perfect Lawn Mower in the world."
- 1872-1900
- Collections - Artifact
The Hills Archimedean "Charter Oak" Lawn Mower, 1872-1900
Lawns require regular maintenance. First patented in the United States in 1868, cylinder- or reel-type mowers became an enduring, affordable option for anyone with a small lawn. The basic form consisted of blades that rotated around a horizontal axis, cutting the grass as the user pushed the machine. Advertisements touted this "Charter Oak" model as "the most beautiful and perfect Lawn Mower in the world."
- Model of Horse-Drawn Mowing Machine, circa 1875 -
- circa 1875
- Collections - Artifact
Model of Horse-Drawn Mowing Machine, circa 1875