Steel plow

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The first steel plow, sometimes referred to as 'the Sod-Buster' was invented by blacksmith John Deere in the 1830's, and was being commercially manufactured by 1837. Deere, after settling in the Midwestern United States, realized that the tough sod was too thick for the iron and wooden plows being used. The sticky ground stuck to the plow, which resulted in the farmer having to clean it after only a few yards of walking. He redesigned the plow to be lighter and more durable, and the sod did not stick to the steel ploughshare. The plow was to be hitched to one or more draught animals, with the farmer holding onto handles and guiding the plow. By 1855, Deere's company was manufacturing and selling over 10,000 steel plows a year.