The First Steel Plow | Adventures in Research (07-24-51)

Old Time Radio Westerns

This episode of 'Adventures in Research' tells the story of John Deere's invention of the first steel plow in 1837, detailing how he overcam

Key takeaways

• John Deere's innovation was driven by real-world agricultural struggles rather than theoretical research.

Main topics

• Invention of the steel plow

Notable quotes

"It's like a knife cutting butter. Look at it go, Thomas."

Conclusion

John Deere's steel plow transformed the American West from untamed pra

Transcript preview

Speaker 7 (0:00) For many of us, going further isn't a choice. It's a feeling we can't ignore. Because ambition has a way of outgrowing where it began. Turning dreams into direction. Every journey brings us closer to the life we imagine. So, where will your journey take you? Etihad. Beyond Borders. Speaker 1 (0:45) Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now, let's get into this episode. Speaker 3 (1:11) Adventures in Research. Speaker 3 (1:18) Bad business is Speaker 4 (1:20) hardly the state of affairs to be desired by anyone. Speaker 3 (1:23) Yet it was just such a condition that indirectly led to the birth of an idea and brought about the transformation of the Middle West from a wilderness into what is now known as the breadbasket of the world. This is Paul Shannon bringing you another transcribed story of science produced as a public service in cooperation with the Westinghouse Research Laboratory. And today, telling you the story of John Deere and how he invented the first steel plow. Speaker 7 (1:54) For many of us, going further isn't a choice. It's a feeling we can't ignore. Because ambition has a way of outgrowing where it began. Turning dreams into direction. Every journey brings us closer to the life we imagine. Speaker 7 (2:17) So, where will your journey take you? Etihad. Beyond borders. Speaker 3 (2:27) In the year 1834, John Deere, the village blacksmith of the small Vermont town of Pantock, found his business falling off. Speaker 4 (2:35) The business is bad, eh, John? Speaker 6 (2:37) Yes, I'm getting worried, Leonard. I have a wife and four children to think of. Well, this can't go on much longer. Speaker 4 (2:44) Did you ever think of going into some other business, John? Speaker 6 (2:47) No, and I don't intend to. This is my work, Leonard. There ain't anything in the world I'd rather do than this. Speaker 4 (2:53) I suppose you don't understand. Well, Speaker 6 (2:56) we... Speaker 4 (2:56) Yes, me, it's about the dirtiest work I know of. Speaker 6 (3:00) Dirty, yes, but... Well, Leonard, it's not easy to describe how I feel, but it's like this. When you take a piece of iron and from it make a shovel or a hoe or a pitchfork, a tool that someone can use to earn his daily bread with, well, then you know that what you're doing is worth getting your hands dirty for. Speaker 4 (3:18) I see what you mean, but now you aren't making so many shovels or hoes. Speaker 6 (3:23) No, I'm Speaker 4 (3:24) not. What are you going to do? Speaker 6 (3:25) Well, if business don't get better, I'm going to some other town around here. Speaker 4 (3:29) John, let me tell you something. The reason you haven't been getting much business lately is because the farmers are leaving Vermont. One by one, they're getting tired of this hard, mean soil here in New England, and they're going away. To where to? West, John. Out west. The soil's rich and brand new, and they need people like you out there, too. To be frank, I've been thinking about it myself. Health hasn't been too good. If it doesn't pick up, that's where I'm going. And soon. Speaker 6 (3:59) Well, here's your handrail, Leonard. Speaker 4 (4:02) Fine looking, John. You've got a wonderful talent in those hands of yours. Yeah, how much? Speaker 6 (4:08) A dollar and a half. Speaker 4 (4:10) There you are. Well, good day, John. Speaker 6 (4:13) Oh, Leonard, if you decide what you're going to do, let me know, will you? Speaker 4 (4:17) Certainly, John. Certainly. Speaker 2 (4:24) John, what's troubling you? You've been quiet as a mouse all evening. Speaker 6 (4:28) Well, I've been thinking, Jenny. Speaker 2 (4:30) What about, dear? A