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Invention of Barbed Wire
In 1867 in Kent, Ohio, Lucien B. Smith patented barbed wire. Introducing barbed wire to the agricultural industry meant no more free roaming of cattle. The famers that used this, prevented neighboring cattle from feeding off of their land. Shortly after Smith patented the first barbed wire, there were several others that followed suit and made their own. In some cases, the used of the barbed wire caused tension with ranchers because it prevented cattle drives across the land. -
Introduction of the Silo
In Illinois in 1873, Fred Hatch had the idea to build a tall structure attached to the family barn. This structure allowed farmers to store their food in a better way. With a roof over the 16ft structure, the food remained unspoiled from rain and stayed fresh longer. The silo also allowed farmers to store food and retrieve it faster making it more economical for them. Eventually the silos became unattached and free standing in farms. -
The Babcock Test
In Wisconsin in 1890, Stephen Babcock introduced the Babcock Test. The Babcock Test tested the fat content of milk that was being sold by farmers. This prevented some of the farmers from watering down the milk and skimming it. They would often do this to have more milk to sell. The test helped define the quality of milk and set prices according to that quality. -
The New Gas Powered Tractor
In 1892, in Iowa, the first internal combustion, or gas powered, tractor was introduced. John Froelich put a one cylinder engine that ran on gasoline, on a thrasher steam tractor. The tractor went a whole 3 miles per hours and took 26 gallons of gasoline but it would thresh 1000 bushels of grain a day. This was a way to lower cost for famers and was less labor intensive for them. -
The First Aerial Crop Dusting
The U.S. Agriculture Department and The U.S. Army air service joined forces in Troy, Ohio to help control the caterpillar population at a Catalpa farm. They spread lead arsenate over the trees. What began as a successful test turning into a common practice we use today. In the early days dry chemicals were used. As this practice has evolved, we now use liquid chemicals to spray crops. -
Introduction of Frozen Foods
In 1924 Clarence Birdseye became known for inventing the process of freezing foods for preservation. He discovered that flash freezing food between two large metal plates would preserve food and allow people to eat it at a later date than non-frozen food. He opened the General Seafood Company in New York, that package frozen seafood, vegetable, and meat into small cardboard packages.
