Beginning around 1850, the invention and widespread use of machines
powered by draft horses, changed the way farmers did their work.
Later steam, gasoline, and electric engines helped farmers do their
work even better.
Because of improved equipment, farmers were able to cultivate larger
and larger fields and to complete in a day or two, work that had once
taken them weeks.
Such advances in agriculture were possible because of new machinery.
Because of the demand for new machinery to make farm work easier and
more efficient, more and more factories were built to produce the
machines.
Between 1870 and 1920 factories like the Waterloo Gas Engine Company
that produced the Waterloo Boy tractor grew rapidly to meet the demand
for new farm equipment. At the same time, factories like Rath Packing
Company appeared in order to process the agricultural products.
Learn about some of the early businesses that played a key role in
the partnership between the city and the farm.
Directions:
- Read Quick Facts—Some Early Industries
in Waterloo.
- Identify how these businesses were alike and how they were different.
- Complete the graphic organizer to display
your results.
- Share your results with your classmates.
Activities: 1 | 2
| 3 | 4 | 5
| 6 Next
> |
