State Historical Society of Iowa

Froelich Tractor in Iowa and South Dakota, 1892

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Courtesy of Froelich Foundation and Museum, "Froelich Tractor Photos, Langford, South Dakota, and Froelich, Iowa," 1892

Description

These photographs show the Froelich Tractor in Iowa and South Dakota in 1892. The tractor was created by John Froelich, an American inventor who lived in Froelich, Iowa, a small village in northeast Iowa. His invention, shown in the photos, was the first stable gasoline/petrol-powered tractor with forward and reverse gears.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • What do you notice about the construction and appearance of the Froelich Tractor from this time period compared to modern tractors?
  • This was the first stable gasoline/petrol-powered tractor with forward and reverse gears, invented in 1892. Do the photos match your expectations about what a historic tractor would look like? Why or why not?
  • How would this invention revolutionize farming? What from the photos would support your response?

Citation Information 

"Froelich Tractor Photos, Langford, South Dakota, and Froelich, Iowa," 1892. Courtesy of Froelich Foundation and Museum