What Are Some Facts About John Deere History?

John Deere History: A Look At Some Facts

As a leader in innovation, John Deere has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to helping customers be as productive as possible for more than a century. While most are aware of the success of this company today, many people do not have a full comprehension of John Deere history and its impact on society.

With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at some facts about what helped John Deere get to where it is today.

  • Many view John Deere as a midwestern business, and although the company began there, its founder is actually from Rutland, Vermont—where he was born on February 7, 1804. He did not move to Grand Detour, Illinois until 1836, but what already an established blacksmith.
  • In 1837, John Deere, who was only 33 years old at the time, designed the first steel plow which helped farmers cut through sticky prairie soil with ease.
  • John Deere only managed John Deere and Company for 6 years, from 1852 – 1858, before passing the job onto his 21-year-old son, Charles. During his time within this position, Charles helped the company become one of the top implement makers in the country.
  • As enthusiasm for bicycles swept the nation in 1894, John Deere and Company began manufacturing their own models, including the Deere Leader, the Deere Roadster, and the Moline Special. Once this excitement died down, production of these bicycles ceased.
  • John Deere and Company began to expand internationally in 1912 with a manufacturing entity in Canada. This global expansion continued in 1956 when the company began to build manufacturing plants in Mexico, Germany, and Spain – eventually, France, Argentina, and South Africa were also thrown into the mix. It was this piece of John Deere history that helped the company develop over 100 locations across the world.
  • Since the creation of the first steel plow in 1837, John Deere has designed, produced, and sold approximately 690 different tractor models. Even after more than a century of producing quality equipment, John Deere does not seem to be showing any signs of slowing down!
  • As of 2018, John Deere employed approximately 60,000 professionals worldwide, including engineers, logistics specialists, and more.
  • The John Deere Industrial Equipment Division was officially established in 1958 after playing a role in the industry for decades.
  • Since receiving its first patent in 1864, John Deere has introduced 8 variations of its trademark logo. Throughout this time, the leaping deer design was altered several times before the company introduced its modern green and yellow image in 2010.
  • While John Deere is widely known for its production of tractors, these machines were not manufactured until 1918, when the company purchased Waterloo Engine Gas Company. Today, the company produces equipment for a wide array of industries in addition to agriculture, including construction, lawn and grounds care, and forestry.

For more information regarding John Deere history, the equipment this company has to offer, contact your local John Deere dealer.

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