What does Cyrus McCormick mean in history?
mechanical harvester
Noun. 1. Cyrus McCormick – United States inventor and manufacturer of a mechanical harvester (1809-1884)
What was Cyrus McCormick known for?
Cyrus McCormick, in full Cyrus Hall McCormick, (born February 15, 1809, Rockbridge county, Virginia, U.S.—died May 13, 1884, Chicago, Illinois), American industrialist and inventor who is generally credited with the development (from 1831) of the mechanical reaper.
Who was Cyrus McCormick And why was he important?
Cyrus McCormick (February 15, 1809–May 13, 1884), a Virginia blacksmith, invented the mechanical reaper in 1831. Essentially a horse-drawn machine that harvested wheat, it was one of the most important inventions in the history of farm innovation.
What was Cyrus McCormick most famous invention?
the mechanical reaper
Cyrus Hall McCormick invented the mechanical reaper, which combined all the steps that earlier harvesting machines had performed separately. His time-saving invention allowed farmers to more than double their crop size and spurred innovations in farm machinery.
Did Cyrus McCormick have a family?
Family relationships They had seven children: Cyrus Hall McCormick Jr. Alice McCormick was born March 15, 1870 and died less than a year later on January 25, 1871. Harold Fowler McCormick was born May 2, 1872, married Edith Rockefeller, and died in 1941.
What education did Cyrus McCormick have?
Robert McCormick’s inventions included hydraulic machinery and reapers, but he was never successful at selling any of his inventions commercially. Although McCormick received very little formal education, he began working on the farm alongside his father and tinkering with the farm tools and machinery.
What skills did Cyrus McCormick have?
As a boy, McCormick had a talent for both agriculture and inventing. At the age of 15, he invented a lightweight cradle for carting harvested grain (1824). Meanwhile, McCormick’s father, Robert, was working in the farm’s smithy on an invention of his own: a horse-drawn reaping machine.
What obstacles did Cyrus McCormick face?
Returning to the U.S., McCormick still faced substantial challenges. For years, he was forced to defend his patent rights in court. The Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed his factory. However, by the time of his death in 1884, both his fame and his business were secure.