Trystan Casey
The history of the lawn mower goes back to 1830 when Edwin Beard Budding invented the first lawn mower. Since then, the lawn mower has evolved considerably, with the first electric lawn mowers being introduced in the early 20th century and gaining popularity in the 1930s. The electric lawn mower revolutionized lawn care, offering a quieter, cleaner, and more efficient alternative to traditional gas-powered models. While the exact year of invention is debated, most historical records point to the late 1920s and early 1930s as the period when the first electric models began to appear.
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What You'll Learn
The first lawn mower was invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding
The lawn mower was invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding, an engineer from Stroud, Gloucestershire, England. Budding's invention was based on a tool used to uniformly cut carpet and was comprised of a series of blades arranged around a rotating cylinder. The machine was pushed by hand and cut the grass underneath it. It was intended for cutting grass on sports grounds, large gardens, and golf courses, providing an easier and faster alternative to scythes and shears.
Before the 1830s, most land was used to house livestock and was left as dirt, or the grass was kept short by grazing animals. In the 1820s, trimmed lawns became popular, and those who could afford it would hire labourers to manually cut the grass with large blades. Budding's invention revolutionized lawn maintenance, allowing for a more uniform cut compared to scythes.
Over time, the lawn mower evolved to meet the needs of larger lawns and estates. By the late 1800s, horse-drawn mowers became common. These mowers were larger and more robust, making them suitable for the maintenance of large estates and parks. In 1890, the first engine-powered lawn mowers were introduced with lightweight steam and petrol engines. The first steam-powered lawn mower was invented in 1893 by James Sumner of Lancashire, England.
The early 1900s saw the invention of the first gas-powered lawn mowers, which offered greater convenience and efficiency than steam-powered models. In 1902, Ransomes of Ipswich produced the first commercially available gas-powered lawn mower. The first riding lawn mowers were introduced in 1922, significantly reducing the physical exertion required for lawn care. Riding mowers quickly became the standard for maintaining large lawns, parks, and golf courses.
In the post-war era, the popularity of suburban lawns in North America drove the development of compact and manoeuvrable rotary blade mowers for residential use. Snapper, Inc. was founded in 1951 with the introduction of the ""Snappin' Turtle," one of the first rotary blade mowers designed for residential lawns. Snapper has since become a well-known manufacturer of residential and professional lawn-care equipment, particularly recognized for its rear-engine riding mowers and early development of self-propelled rotary lawn mowers.
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Early lawn mowers were pushed by hand and designed for sports grounds
The first lawn mower, invented in 1830 by Edwin Budding, was a mechanical, hand-pushed reel mower. The mower was made of wrought iron, 19 inches wide, and was designed to cut grass on sports grounds, cemeteries, and extensive gardens. Budding's design was based on a machine used in local cloth mills to trim the irregular nap from woolen and velvet cloth. The basic design of the hand-pushed reel mower has changed very little since its invention, and it is still in use today.
In the years following the invention of the lawn mower, various innovations were made to improve its functionality. In 1842, a pony-drawn reel mower was invented by Scotsman Alexander Shanks. To prevent the horse's hooves from leaving indentations on the lawn, soft brown leather shoes were wrapped around the horse's feet. In 1859, Thomas Green created the first chain-driven mower. By 1919, the Worthington Mower Company was building gang mowers with multiple sets of blades to cut a wider swath.
The first power mower was introduced in 1921 by Knud and Oscar Jacobsen. This mower could cut about 4 acres per day. In 1938, Toro launched a popular power mower for the American homeowner, which was affordable, easy to use, and could fit in a standard garage. In 1951, Snapper Inc. introduced the Snappin' Turtle, one of the first rotary blade mowers designed for residential use. Its compact size and manoeuvrability made it well-suited for the growing number of suburban lawns in post-war America.
Over time, lawn mowers have continued to evolve, with the introduction of electric and robotic mowers. In 2012, Black & Decker released a cordless electric mower with fast-charging capabilities and extra batteries. Robotic lawn mowers have become increasingly popular, with users able to control them via smartphone apps. These mowers can be programmed to adjust settings, schedule mowing times, and can even be manually controlled with a digital joystick.
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Steam-powered lawn mowers were built in the 1890s
The history of lawn mowers dates back to the 1830s, with significant advancements occurring in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, the transition from manual to engine-powered lawn mowers took place, revolutionising the way people maintained their lawns.
In the 1890s, lawn mower technology witnessed a notable evolution with the introduction of steam power. James Sumner, a pioneer in this field, patented the first steam-powered lawn mower in 1893. This innovation sparked interest in the lawn mower profession and was even considered a novelty at the time. Sumner's machine utilised lightweight steam engines, marking a significant advancement in power sources for lawn care equipment.
While Sumner led the way, other manufacturers soon followed suit. Greens, for instance, produced coal-fired steam lawn mowers in various widths: 24 inches, 30 inches, and 36 inches. They held a patent for their boiler design, which efficiently transferred heat through an inverted funnel within the boiler. Greens' innovation extended beyond their own products as they also developed a conversion steam unit compatible with horse-drawn mowers.
Shanks and Thomas Green, already known for their successful steam-powered equipment, ventured into the production of steam lawn mowers in 1902. Shanks offered two models: a large 42-inch width machine and a smaller pedestrian version. These mowers were oil-fired, opting for faster firing over coal. Despite the higher boiler pressure that oil fuel required, Shanks addressed this challenge by introducing a multi-tubular boiler with numerous small bore pipes.
During this era, the internal combustion engine also emerged as a competing power source. WJ Stephenson-Peach, in 1896, produced a prototype internal combustion-engined lawn mower. Ransomes of Ipswich took this innovation further in 1902, becoming the first company to patent and commercially produce petrol engine-powered lawn mowers. Their product was a large 42-inch machine that combined mowing and rolling functions, with the operator seated over the rear roller.
While the late 19th century saw the advent of steam-powered lawn mowers, the subsequent years brought about a shift towards motor mowers and other power sources. By the early 20th century, petrol engine-powered mowers entered the market, and companies like Ransomes played a pivotal role in their commercialisation.
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The first gas-powered lawn mower was invented in 1902
The history of lawn mowers goes back to 1830 when Edwin Budding invented and patented the first lawn mower outside Gloucestershire, England. The lawn mower has come a long way since then, with the first gas-powered lawn mower being invented in 1902 by companies including Ransomes. These gas-powered lawn mowers were preferred over their electric-powered predecessors.
In 1918, the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis purchased the first gasoline-driven, water-cooled power lawn mower. This was a significant step in the evolution of lawn care equipment, as it offered a more powerful and efficient alternative to the electric-powered mowers.
Over the years, the lawn mower continued to evolve, with the introduction of the first self-propelled rotary lawn mower by Snapper, Inc. in the 1950s. Snapper, an American manufacturer, is known for its rear-engine riding mowers and early development of self-propelled lawn mowers. The company's original product, the self-propelled rotary lawn mower, revolutionized the industry and set the standard for modern lawn care equipment.
The Snapper brand has since expanded its product line to include a full range of lithium-ion battery-powered products, zero-turn mowers, and riding lawn mowers. In 2002, Snapper was acquired by Simplicity Manufacturing, and its parent company, Briggs & Stratton, continues to sell Snapper-labelled mowers in select markets. While Snapper's presence in North America has decreased due to market changes, the brand remains active in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, offering a diverse range of lawn care solutions.
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Electric lawn mowers were introduced in the 1930s
The history of lawn mowing has come a long way since the early 1800s, when lawns became popular and those who could afford it would hire "scythe men" to manually cut the grass. The first lawn mower, invented in 1830, was a push reel mower that required two people to operate. Over time, various improvements were made to manual mowers, but they remained physically demanding to use.
The introduction of electric lawn mowers in the 1930s revolutionized lawn care. They offered a quieter, cleaner, and more efficient alternative to traditional gas-powered models. Electric mowers became popular as a result of the growing trend of urbanization and the desire for well-maintained lawns. The 1930s saw the development of the rotary mower, which used a horizontally spinning blade to cut grass. This type of mower could handle taller and rougher grass, making it suitable for a wider range of lawn types.
While the exact year of the electric lawn mower's invention is not known, most historical records point to the late 1920s and early 1930s as the period when the first electric models appeared. These early electric mowers had limited range due to being corded, but they gained popularity in urban areas with smaller lawns and access to electricity. As technology advanced, battery-powered mowers emerged, offering greater range and freedom from cords.
One of the pioneering companies in the electric lawn mower industry was Flymo, which introduced hover mowers in the 1960s. Another notable company, Snapper Inc., was established in the 1950s and became known for its self-propelled rotary lawn mowers. Snapper's ""Snappin' Turtle," introduced in 1951, was one of the first rotary blade mowers designed for residential use and became a cultural icon.
The evolution of electric lawn mowers has continued into the 2000s, with lithium-ion battery-powered mowers offering increased convenience, power, and environmental benefits. Today, electric lawn mowers provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for homeowners, showcasing the significant advancements that have been made since the introduction of electric models in the 1930s.
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Frequently asked questions
The first Snapper lawn mower, the Snappin' Turtle, was introduced in 1951.
The Snappin' Turtle was one of the first rotary blade mowers designed specifically for residential use. Its compact size and manoeuvrability made it well-suited for the growing number of suburban lawns in post-war America.
The Snappin' Turtle was named so for the way it snapped the grass and for its turtle figurine on the top front of the first model. Snapper Sam, the company's long-standing mascot, was inspired by the cast iron turtle head ornament featured on the early Snappin' Turtle mowers.
Snapper Inc. also built tillers and snow blowers, and they offer a range of battery-powered garden tools and yard-care equipment.
