Today, John Deere is known for its award-winning innovations, but have you ever really thought about how we got here? The most critical moments in John Deere history date back to 1837 when the man himself, John Deere, was a blacksmith in Grand Detour, IL who wanted to make farmers’ jobs a bit easier. Fast forward over 180 years, and this company is still manufacturing equipment with the same purpose in mind – helping customers be as productive as possible. While Deere is widely known for its various tractor models, these machines were not being produced until 1918 – this is when the company purchased the Waterloo Engine Gas Company.
In addition to producing various types of equipment throughout the years, this company has also seen various leaders, logos, and factories over time. It is these individual moving parts that have made John Deere history so fascinating to reflect on. With an ongoing commitment to innovation, agriculture, and people, Deere has had no shortage of amazing breakthroughs that have established where it is today and where it will be in the future.
Let’s take a closer look at these moments in John Deere history.
Who Invented John Deere?
John Deere the company would not have been possible without the determination of John Deere the man. From the time he created the first steel plow in 1837, Deere was committed to helping farmers handle their daily tasks with ease. As demand for these plows rose, Deere moved the business from Grand Detour to Moline, IL in 1848 due to the power and transportation benefits this new location offered. Just two years later, around 1600 plows had been produced and John Deere began to expand its range of equipment, including the first ride-on plow, the Hawkeye Riding Cultivator, which relied on horses. This implement was first introduced at the Iowa State Fair in 1863.
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