The First Steel Plow | Adventures in Research (07-24-51)
Summary
This episode features the story "Adventures in Research," detailing the invention of the self-scouring steel plow by John Deere in 1836. The narrative follows Deere's move from New England to Illinois, where he struggles with sticky prairie soil that clogs wooden and cast-iron plows. Inspired by a polished saw blade, Deere crafts a new plow that successfully turns the tough earth without clogging. The story concludes with the plow's triumph, which enabled the settlement of the Midwest and its transformation into the "breadbasket of the world."
Topics discussed
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Show Introduction by Andrew Rhines
Adventures in Research Intro
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John Deere's Struggles in Vermont
Leonard's Advice to Move West
John Deere Moves to Illinois
The Problem with Sticky Prairie Soil
Letter to Wife and Growing Concerns
The Broken Saw Blade Inspiration
Designing the Steel Plow
Building the Self-Scouring Plow
Preparation for the Field Test
Successful Plow Test in Crandall's Field
Legacy of the Steel Plow
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Show Outro and Credits
Podcast Subscription and Support Info
Copyright Notice
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