Overview:
This text, written in 1912, chronicles the life and struggles of Obed Hussey, a Quaker inventor who created the first successful reaper. Hussey, known for his modest personality and dedication to invention, began working on his reaper in the early 1830s. He faced significant obstacles in financing his work and battling the claims of rival inventor, Cyrus H. McCormick. The text highlights how Hussey’s reaper, though initially met with skepticism, eventually became widely accepted and revolutionized agriculture, earning him recognition as the true inventor of the reaper.
The text goes into great detail about the invention and testing of Hussey’s reaper, highlighting the machine’s simplicity and effectiveness. It also delves into the legal battles surrounding Hussey’s patent, particularly his struggles against McCormick’s claims. Throughout the text, Hussey’s humble character and his unwavering dedication to his invention are emphasized. The author argues that Hussey’s contributions to the field of agriculture have been overshadowed by McCormick’s aggressive business tactics and marketing efforts.
Key Findings:
- Obed Hussey is the true inventor of the reaper. Despite McCormick’s claims, the text presents overwhelming evidence that Hussey’s invention was the first successful and widely adopted reaper.
- Hussey’s reaper was simple, effective, and durable. The text provides numerous testimonials from farmers who used Hussey’s reaper, highlighting its ability to cut grain efficiently, consistently, and with minimal maintenance.
- McCormick used aggressive business tactics and legal strategies to claim the invention for himself. The text points out McCormick’s lack of originality and his reliance on others’ inventions, while highlighting Hussey’s dedication to his own creation and his fair treatment of others.
Learning:
- The importance of perseverance and dedication in the face of adversity. Hussey’s story exemplifies the struggles inventors often face, including financial hardship and competition. His unwavering dedication to his invention and his resilience in the face of criticism contributed to his ultimate success.
- The impact of invention on society and the world. The reaper was a groundbreaking invention that transformed agriculture, enabling farmers to harvest much larger quantities of grain. It had a profound impact on food production, making bread more affordable and accessible to a larger population.
- The importance of recognizing and honoring the true inventors. The text highlights the ethical challenges surrounding invention, where marketing and business strategies can sometimes overshadow the true origins of a product. It underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating those who make significant contributions to society.
Historical context:
This text was written in a period of significant technological and agricultural advancement, with the invention of the reaper coinciding with the rise of the industrial revolution. The text emphasizes the role of the “iron horse” (trains) and the telegraph in facilitating communication and transportation, ultimately contributing to the spread and adoption of Hussey’s invention.
Facts:
- Obed Hussey was born in Maine in 1792.
- He invented a successful steam plow.
- He also invented a machine for grinding out hooks and eyes.
- He first began working on his reaper in a room at the factory of Richard B. Chenoweth in Baltimore.
- The first trial of his reaper took place near Cincinnati in 1833.
- Hussey’s reaper was initially met with skepticism and ridicule.
- He sold his first reaping machines for $150 each.
- Hussey’s machines were widely adopted in the East and the West.
- He faced fierce competition from Cyrus H. McCormick.
- Hussey’s reaper was tested against McCormick’s reaper in Virginia in 1843.
- Hussey’s reaper was proven superior to McCormick’s in multiple trials.
- Hussey’s patent was extended by the U.S. Patent Office in 1861.
- Hussey died tragically in 1860 while traveling from Boston to Portland, Maine.
- His machine still lives and is used worldwide.
- He dedicated a significant portion of his life to perfecting his reaper.
- His reaper was adopted by numerous farmers throughout the US.
- His invention was praised by farmers and agriculturists, including Edward Stabler, Tench Tilghman, and William H. Roane.
- Hussey’s reaper was recognized for its strength and simplicity.
- It was lauded for its ability to cut wheat, oats, barley, clover, and hemp.
- It was also praised for its ability to cut lodged grain, weeds, and even brush.
- Hussey’s reaper was recognized for its durability and minimal need for repairs.
Statistics:
- 1833: Hussey successfully tested his reaper in the field near Cincinnati.
- 1834: A Hussey reaper cut 16 acres of wheat for John E. Canfield in Illinois.
- 1835: Two of Hussey’s reapers were sold for $150 each, and a third, with a whirling wheel, was sold for $500.
- 1837: One of Hussey’s reapers cut 180 acres of wheat, oats, and barley for Tench Tilghman in Maryland.
- 1838: One of Hussey’s reapers cut several hundred acres of grain up to 1845.
- 1842: McCormick’s father claimed they had been working on their reaper for nine years.
- 1843: Two trials of Hussey’s and McCormick’s reapers were conducted in Virginia, with Hussey’s emerging as superior.
- 1845: John Jones in Delaware cut 160 acres of wheat with Hussey’s reaper, with a total repair cost of 31¼ cents.
- 1847: Josiah Collins cut 17 acres of wheat with Hussey’s reaper in North Carolina.
- 1849: Edward S. Cox cut 60 acres of hemp with Hussey’s reaper.
- 1850: Hussey’s reaper cut 250 acres of hemp for Edward S. Cox in Illinois.
- 1851: Hussey’s reaper won a trial against McCormick’s reaper in England.
- 1852: Hussey’s reaper won a prize of $100 from the Maryland State Agricultural Society.
- 1853: Hussey’s reaper won the prize at the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, over all competitors.
- 1854: John Jones in Delaware ordered 10 Hussey reapers after witnessing its success.
- 1861: The U.S. Patent Office granted Hussey’s widow extensions for his patents, recognizing his invention’s value.
Terms:
- Reaper: A machine used for harvesting grain, cutting it from the stalk.
- Mower: A machine used for cutting grass.
- Patent: A government grant giving an inventor exclusive rights to their invention for a specific period.
- Extension: A legal process by which the term of a patent can be extended.
- Infringement: The unauthorized use of another person’s patent.
- Testimony: Evidence given under oath in a legal proceeding.
- Depositions: Testimony given under oath outside of court.
- Prior art: Previous inventions or designs that can be used to challenge the novelty of a patent claim.
- Crank: A rotating shaft with an offset arm, used to convert rotary motion into linear motion.
- Pitman: A connecting rod used to transmit motion from a crank to a cutting mechanism.
Examples:
- 1833: Hussey’s reaper initially broke down during a trial, but he repaired it and successfully demonstrated its capabilities, cutting every head of grain clean.
- 1837: Hussey’s reaper cut 180 acres of wheat, oats, and barley for Tench Tilghman in Maryland, proving its effectiveness across multiple crops.
- 1842: Isaac Irvine Hite, dissatisfied with the lack of a raker’s seat on McCormick’s reaper, built his own carriage attachment, which McCormick later adopted.
- 1843: In a trial in Virginia, Senator Roane witnessed the performance of both Hussey’s and McCormick’s reapers, and ultimately chose to purchase a Hussey reaper, recognizing its superior ability to cut heavy grain.
- 1849: Farmers in Illinois reported Hussey’s reaper’s ability to cut lodged grain and weeds, a task that McCormick’s machine couldn’t handle.
- 1851: Hussey’s reaper, after failing an initial trial at the Great Exhibition in London due to improper handling, subsequently impressed the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Albert.
- 1851: A competition between Hussey’s and McCormick’s reapers before the Cleveland Agricultural Society resulted in Hussey’s machine being declared superior.
- 1852: The Maryland State Agricultural Society awarded Hussey’s reaper a prize of $100, recognizing its superior quality.
- 1853: Hussey’s reaper won the prize at the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, showcasing its excellence in cutting both grain and grass.
- 1854: John Jones in Delaware ordered 10 Hussey reapers after witnessing its exceptional performance, demonstrating the growing popularity of the invention.
Conclusion:
Obed Hussey’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and ingenuity. Despite facing numerous challenges, he successfully invented the first practical and widely adopted reaper, transforming agriculture and making bread more affordable for everyone. The text effectively argues that Hussey, not McCormick, is the true inventor of the reaper, emphasizing Hussey’s contributions to the field of agriculture and the lasting impact his invention has had on society. The text is a reminder that true innovation often arises from quiet determination and a genuine desire to improve the lives of others.