Cindy J. Sinko
Riding or push; electric, gas, battery, solar, and even robotic. Today, there are many different types of lawn mowers for the consumer to choose from for your lawn-mowing needs. But to tell the history of lawn mowers, we need to have a look into the history of lawns. There are many lawns in Perth County and Stratford that many hours have been spent on. It is not just private homes, but businesses and parks as well.
The lawn is a European invention, according to research. The word “launde” originally referred to a glade or opening in the woods, and comes from Middle English. The earliest lawns were grasslands around medieval castles in France and Britain. In 17th-century England, the wealthy kept their lawns closely cut; while at this time, sheep and goats still grazed on parklands. Land owners depended on human labour to tend to their grass. Before the invention of the lawn mower, many hired men to scythe their lawns; this tool was long and narrow, with sharp blades attached to a wooden handle that they would swing to cut down the tall grass. A lawn marked wealth and status.
During the 19th century, when cities began to grow, urban beautification campaigns became common and the “park” was born. These public areas had landscaped lawns, shrubbery, possibly a water feature, such as a fountain, lake or pond, and trees. By the 1920s, landscape architects were being used to plan and design park systems. Frederick Todd was one of these architects and well known for his work. We have him to thank for Queen’s Park in Stratford, as well as many others throughout Canada.
After the Second World War and the beginnings of suburbia, people were becoming passionate on how their lawns looked. Their standards became high, and this became a symbol for the middle class. How green could you get – and keep – your lawn but, most importantly, what were you mowing it with?
So, that brings us back to the lawn mower, invented by Edwin Budding, an engineer from England in 1830. His idea came from after watching a machine in a cloth mill that used a bladed reel to trim cloth and make a smooth finish. His thought was to use this concept for cutting grass. His invention was known as a cylinder mower and made of cast iron. Budding partnered with another engineer, John Ferrabee, and together they started a factory and manufactured this mower. Shrewd businessmen that they were, they allowed others to copy their designs for the mower but only if they were under licence.
By 1850, unfortunately for Budding, his patent had lapsed. This made way for other companies to now build and market their own mowers. The new designs made the mower less noisy and lighter. This was all in part to Thomas Green & Son, who introduced the Silens Messor, which means silent cutter. This mower was very popular. In the 1890s, further changes happened and we saw the invention of side-wheel machines. This side-wheel mower had cast iron wheels on either side that drove the cutting reel directly. They also did not have a metal rear roller, which made them lighter and affordable. This design was very popular in North America.
The early 1900s saw the invention of Steam Lawn Mowers. After the First World War, lawn-mower production was at a high. The first gas-powered reel mower was introduced in America in 1914. This was also around the same time the riding lawn mower was introduced. During the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, mowers became smaller, lighter and more efficient and cost less. As the years progressed and changes continued, we saw the invention of solar-powered mowers and robotic ones as well.
The mower has come a long way since Edward Buddings’ invention, and the obsession with having the perfect manicured lawn helped with the development of this machine.
The Stratford-Perth Archives is located at 4273 Line 34 (Highway 8), just west of Stratford. We are open for research from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Please call 519-271-0531 ext. 259 or email firstname.lastname@example.org with any questions.