State Historical Society of Iowa

Froelich Tractor in Iowa and South Dakota, 1892

 Download PDF Resource

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.

Transcript of "Fitch, 75, Scoffs at Luck As Aid to Success in Life" Newspaper Article

Source Dependent Questions

  • The Froelich tractor was the first stable gasoline/petrol-powered tractor with forward and reverse gears, invented in 1892. How did John Froelich's invention and business match the needs of farmers during this time period? How does his invention continue to impact farmers?
  • In the first image, notice the horses in the background. Consider the impact of farmers changing from animal-powered machines to gasoline-powered machines. List two or more reasons why farmers would want to convert to gasoline-powered machines and two or more reasons why they would want to stick with animal-powered machines.
  • Using your list above, what choice would you make and why?

Citation Information

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

Froelich Tractor in Iowa and South Dakota, 1892

 Download PDF Resource

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

  • The Froelich tractor was the first stable gasoline/petrol-powered tractor with forward and reverse gears, invented in 1892. How did John Froelich's invention and business match the needs of farmers during this time period? How does his invention continue to impact farmers?
  • In the first image, notice the horses in the background. Consider the impact of farmers changing from animal-powered machines to gasoline-powered machines. List two or more reasons why farmers would want to convert to gasoline-powered machines and two or more reasons why they would want to stick with animal-powered machines.
  • Using your list above, what choice would you make and why?

Citation Information

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