How the Tractor Revolutionized Farming | The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation

Mo Rocca speaks with curator of agriculture and the environment Debra Reid, about the history of the tractor and how it revolutionized farming.

American agriculture entered a "golden age" during the late nineteenth century. High market prices for wheat drove farmers to the Plains and Western states where they carved out large -- and profitable -- "bonanza" farms. Innovative machinery reduced labor costs and a competitive traction engine industry emerged. In the 1910s, to meet the needs of farmers with less acreage, steam-powered traction engines evolved into today's iconic tractor.

From our collections: The Fordson tractor, manufactured by Henry Ford and Son, Inc., was the first lightweight, mass-produced tractor that was affordable to the average farmer. Through this and other efforts, Henry Ford sought to relieve farmers of the burden of heavy labor. https://www.thehenryford.org/collecti...

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