Fascinated by tales from Cletrac ‘mechanic’
Sam Moore details the early career of William Hazlett Upson, the author of the Alexander Botts adventures, published from the 1920s into the '60s.
Fixin’ mud hens for Thanksgiving
In the November 1928 issue of The American Thresherman magazine “Aunt Malinda” wrote of a recent Thanksgiving with she and “Uncle Silas.”
Debate: Who really invented the steel plow?
Although Deere history gives credit for the steel plow to Deere, Case, who later owned Andrus' plow company, cites Leonard Andrus and never mentions Deere.
Mechanical corn pickers were off to a slow start
During the 1920s, the pros and cons of the new-fangled machines were hotly debated in the farm press.
What’s a froe, a flail and ‘riving the bolts’?
Bascom B. Clarke, "The Old Machine Man," would never believe agriculture today — the crop yields and the automated farm equipment.
Hand sewing grain sacks during harvest
Before there was a way to haul loose grain, it was sacked out of the threshing machine.
The evolution of the sawmill industry
Since their early days, American sawmills have come a long way.
Electricity becomes a farm convenience
One hundred years ago, very few farms had electricity of any kind and an article in the December 1917 issue of Gas Review magazine told of its benefits.
Lincoln Highway stretches across country
The Complete Official Road Guide of the Lincoln Highway gives background, describes the route, and gives traveler tips and a cross-country trip supply list.
General Motors has grown since the first Buick
The General Motors Corporation got its start with the Buick, and retains the oldest car name plate now in America, as one of its premier offerings.
