International Harvester
From Graces Guide
The International Harvester Co was formed by the merger of the Deering and McCormick companies and the first tractor to bear the name was produced in 1906.
- Cyrus Hall McCormick was born in 1809 in Rockbridge County, Virginia in the United States.
- At the age of twenty two he redesigned his father's unsuccessful reaper and eventually patented the machine in 1834.
- Cyrus McCormick also patented a cast and wrought iron plough which was very popular with local farmers.
- Before long Cyrus McCormick purchased land on the north bank of the Chicago River in order to build a factory.
- The McCormick reaper won many awards from 1851 onwards including the Grand Council Medal at the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in London.
- In 1881 won more prizes following a four day trial of his first twine binder at Derby, England.
- Williams Deering had established a harvester factory at Plano, Illinois. In 1880 he moved the factory to Chicago.
- In the late 1890s the Deering and McCormick families started to discuss a merger to the two companies and in 1902 this was finalised and International Harvester emerged.
- In 1903 a factory was built at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and in 1906 the first International Harvester tractor was produced. It was available in 10,12,15 and 20 HP capacity.
- In December 1906 International Harvester opened offices in Southwark Street, London, moving two years later to Finsbury Pavement.