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Edwin BuddingEnglish engineer
Date of Birth: 01.01.1795
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Edwin Beard Budding: The Father of the Lawn Mower
- Inspiration from the Cloth Factory
- From Carpet Trimmer to Lawn Mower
- Further Innovations
- Partnership and Production
- Legacy
Edwin Beard Budding: The Father of the Lawn Mower
Edwin Beard Budding was an English inventor who revolutionized the way grass was cut. In 1830, he invented the first lawn mower, forever leaving behind the arduous task of trampling or beating weeds down.
Inspiration from the Cloth Factory
Budding's inspiration for the lawn mower came from a machine he observed at a local cloth factory. The machine used rotating cylinders with blades that trimmed uneven wool surfaces. Budding saw the potential of such a mechanism for grass cutting.
From Carpet Trimmer to Lawn Mower
Budding modified the carpet trimming machine by mounting it on wheels, allowing the blades to rotate close to the lawn surface. His invention was primarily designed for large sports fields and landscaped gardens. On August 31, 1830, he patented his invention in the United Kingdom.
Further Innovations
Within a decade, animal-drawn machines were introduced. Steam-powered lawn mowers followed sixty years later. These models featured wrought iron frames, rotating cylinders, and cast iron gears for power transmission. An adjustable cylinder controlled the cutting height, and cut grass was ejected into a box-like receptacle.
Partnership and Production
In 1830, Budding partnered with local engineer John Ferrabee. Ferrabee financed further development, and together they manufactured lawn mowers at a factory in Thrupp, near Stroud. The first Budding lawn mowers are now exhibited in the Stroud Museum, London Science Museum, and Milton Keynes Museum.
Legacy
Budding's invention has had a profound impact on landscaping and lawn care. His original design has evolved over the years, but his idea of a machine that cuts grass efficiently and evenly remains the foundation of modern lawn mowers.
