There are those who will disagree to the assertion that one man can change history. It is always a team effort. On the other hand it is unfair not to give recognition to whom it is due. In this case, John Deere, inventor and pioneer deserves credit for helping transform the way Americans look at the plow and the field. With his invention John Deere revolutionized the way Americans till the soil as a result this technological breakthrough allowed farmers to make more money. Collectively, citizens of the United States, as well as the companies that profited from bumper harvests, went on to build the richest nation on earth.
Background
John Deere was born on 7 February 1804 in Rutland, Vermont; he was of English descent, his parents stayed in the new colonies after the revolutionary war (Leffingwell, 2006). When he was a freshman at Middlebury College, he lost interest in his studies and decided to become an apprentice to a blacksmith (Leffingwell, 2006). During that time blacksmiths were not only makers of shoe horses and repairmen of various metal works, they also serve as local community inventors and fabricators (Leffingwell, 2006). Thus, the young John Deere was in the right place at the right time, learning the skills that will give him and his family fame and fortune.
When Vermont’s economy faltered, Deere decided to immigrate to the Midwest and settled in Detour, Illinois. Barely two days later, he already established his own forge and was ready to do business (MIT, 1997). It did not take long before he realized that Illinois farmers had a special problem back then. The quality of the soil is good for planting but extremely difficult to prepare before the planting season. The soil will stick to their farm implements and it would be a laborious process to plow and clean – stopping every few minutes to remove the accumulated soil. John Deere was quick to understand that cast-iron plows form the East are no match for the thicker and tackier soil of the Midwest (MIT, 1997). John Deere began to experiment with a revolutionary devise. Instead of using the traditional design wherein cast-iron plowshares are supposed to cut through the soil like a wedge instrument, Deere used a broken sawmill blade as the main component of a cutting-edge technology in U.S. farming – a self-polishing cast steel plow (MIT, 1997). The new design will clean the plowshare as the farmer goes along with his work. There is no need to stop every now and then to clean it and thus, a more efficient and productive farming tool was created.
The creation of the self-polishing plowshare was merely the beginning for John Deere. He began to create new inventions and he would look at new ways to improve old technology. He used steam power to polish molded steel that he is using in his new designs (Leffingwell, 2006). He began to earn accolades from his numerous inventions and innovations. Yet, Deere did not rest on his laurels instead he went on to introduce, revise, improve and updated plows, gang plows, riding cultivators, and harrows (Leffingwell, 2006). Aside from that, the Deere Company was the first to produce the first cotton harvester, the first hay bale ejector and the first power steering for tractors (TIME.com, 1963). The company also tried its hand in many different business ventures such as selling buggies as well as bicycles (Leffingwell, 2006). But when the company decided to face competitors with their own Deere tractors, this is when Americans began to feel the presence of John Deere’s company.
Impact of the High-Tech Plow
It is hard to imagine what the Midwest would look like if John Deere did not immigrate into that region from Vermont. Deere would probably become a successful blacksmith and America would never have known the genius inventor from the East. But fate was kind to Illinois, especially to the farmers. It was John Deere’s insight that allowed him to see the solution to their problematic soil. If not for his self-polishing steel plowshares Midwest farmers would never have experience the efficiency and the productivity of high-tech farming. It was Deere’s desire to help and serve that allowed him to create cutting-edge tools that revolutionized U.S. agriculture.
The success of the Deere Company can be attributed to tireless founder who wanted to continue improving his products. John Deere once said that, “If we don’t improve our product, somebody else will” (MIT, 1997). It can also be credited on a different mindset. John Deere did not believe that he should make only goods on order. Instead he mass-produced his plows and then took them on sales tour (MIT, 1997). He was like Henry Ford in teaching Americans how to look beyond what they currently have and find ways to edge out the competition. Without a doubt, later entrepreneurs were inspired by his ideas.
It would have been enough for John Deere to bask on his achievements. The effectiveness of his plowshares allowed him to make money, more than any man his age during the time when America was far from being a highly industrialized nation. Yet he persevered and continued to innovate and improve existing technologies. He inspired many entrepreneurs and many inventors as well as engineers to develop solutions to the problems faced by American farmers. This approach and this zeal, allowed American farmers to have that distinctive edge when it comes to producing bumper harvests.
When Deere finally decided to go into the tractor war with his competitors, U.S. Agriculture was never the same again. The innovations created by the Deere Company allowed American farmers to till large tracts of land. Using concepts from economics and the business world it is easy to understand why American farmers became very affluent. John Deere did not only make an impact in the business side of American society, he also helped transform the way Americans live. With the way the Deere Company contributed to the success of American farmers, it gave them the confidence to expand and convert more lands into farmlands. This undoubted help encourage the growth of families. Farming is no longer a risky business venture; one can make money out of it.
Agriculture became the backbone of American society and the food surplus allowed many to cash in on the success of U.S. agriculture. It is now possible to export food products abroad. Companies that specialize in food processing were making serious money and they now have the ability to expand on a global scale. The same thing can also be said of the Deere Company. A few decades after introducing their diesel-type tractors, American farmers enjoyed unprecedented levels of efficiency and productivity. In 1962 cash farm income was $37.5 billion (TIME.com, 1963).
Into the Future
A successful company like John Deere can easily inspire others to follow in its footsteps. It is a confidence builder and looking at the track record the Deere Company one can understand why it became an iconic symbol for American farmers and entrepreneurs. In the 1950s the said company expanded its territory and influence by going into chemicals (TIME.com, 1963). Two years later it entered the industrial equipment field with industrial tractor that performs various tasks from stacking logs to burying telephone cable (TIME.com, 1963). At this point the contribution of the Deere Company to American society is already mind-boggling.
Just like its founder, the new owners of the Deere Company continue to innovate and to find ways in improving their products. They also began moving overseas when the term globalization was not yet in vogue. In the 21st century there is no sign of stopping the juggernaut. The company is still on the lookout when it comes to increasing their revenue and at the same time providing quality products for American families. They recently introduced a new kind of lawn mower, the John Deere X595 (Fonda, 2004). If there is a Ferrari among lawn mowers, then this could be the one. The X595 boasts of a “high-torque” machine that can do quick work on a sizeable lawn; it also has power steering, automatic transmission, CD player, and a cup holder (Fonda, 2004). The most surprising thing though is the price: $17,000.00.
As of current date, the John Deere Company is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. It is the leading manufacturer in agricultural equipment. It is also the company that produces and markets North America’s broadest line of lawn and garden tractors, mowers, golf course equipment, and other outdoor equipment (John Deere, 2009). It is also the leading manufacturer of forestry equipment. In order to solidify its hold on the market the John Deere Company is also one of the largest equipment finance companies in the United States and manages a portfolio of nearly $23 billion (John Deere, 2009). Nothing further can be said as to why this company is a tremendous influence within the United States. Yet, John Deere is continuously moving forward (Borgman, 2007). The John Deere Company is not merely content to succeed in America, the company wants the world.
Conclusion
John Deere revolutionized U.S. farming at a time when America was still trying to forge its own identity after earning its independence from Great Britain. The people were industrious and yet they have no access to the right tools and technology that will catapult them into the future. John Deere was at the right place and at the right time and with his skills and perseverance created a whole new line of thinking when it comes to farming. When he solved the problem of the Illinois farmers he was merely warming up. His mind was constantly in search of perfection and this kind of mindset can easily influence others.
It is no accident that after his success in the plowshare manufacturing business, the U.S. economy began to accelerate at unprecedented rates. It can be argued that there are other numerous factors that are working in unison with breakthroughs in farming technology but without ample food on the table it would have been impossible to imagine an America that can contend with other superpowers like Great Britain, France, and Germany. It was the revolution in U.S. agriculture that gave Americans that edge.
The improvements in standard of living created change in America, the likes of which was never seen before. Access to more money allowed them to purchase new things. John Deere was with them all the way. The creation of new products that has noting to do with agriculture improved the lives of Americans in a significant way. John Deere paved the way for many and they continue to build on his legacy. It can be argued that his success spawned a new generation of entrepreneurs who are no longer contented with being second best, but more daring and more ambitious in thinking about how to generate more revenue streams and more importantly how to continuously improve their products.
References
- Borgman, D. (2007). Agriculture, bio fuels and striving for greater energy independence.
- Fonda, D. (2004). “Splendor in the Grass.” Time Magazine Archive.
- John Deere. (2009). “John Deere in Brief.”
- Leffingwell, R. (2006). John Deere. MN: Voyageur Press.
- MIT School of Engineering. (1997). “John Deere: Self-Polishing Cast Steel Plow.” Web.
- Time.com. (1963). “Green, Yellow & Gold.” Time Magazine Archives.