Invention
The first lawn mower was invented by Edwin Budding in 1827 in Thrupp,
just outside Stroud, in Gloucestershire. Budding's mower was designed primarily
to cut the grass on sports grounds and extensive gardens, as a superior alternative
to the scythe, and was granted a British patent on August 31, 1830.
Budding's first machine was 19 inches (480 mm) wide with a frame
made of wrought iron. The mower was pushed from behind. Cast iron gear wheels transmitted
power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder, allowing the rear
roller to drive the knives on the cutting cylinder; the ratio was 16:1. Another
roller placed between the cutting cylinder and the main or land roller could
be raised or lowered to alter the height of cut.
The grass
clippings were hurled forward into a tray-like box. It was soon realized, however,
that an extra handle was needed in front to help pull the machine along.Overall,
these machines were remarkably similar to modern mowers. |
