The Hussey Reaper: A History of Agricultural Innovation and Rivalry
The transition from manual labor to mechanized harvesting was one of the most significant shifts in agricultural history. At the center of this revolution was the Hussey reaper, a machine that promised to transform the efficiency of the harvest. Developed by Obed Hussey in the early 19th century, this invention sparked not only a technological leap but also one of the most enduring and fierce rivalries in industrial history.
Initial Development (1831–1842)
Obed Hussey began developing his reaping machine around 1831 while working at an agricultural implements factory in Baltimore. Because the hilly terrain of Maryland was unsuitable for field trials, Hussey moved his operations to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured the necessary financing and manufacturing facilities. After rebuilding the machine during the winter of 1832-1833, he successfully exhibited it before the Hamilton County Agricultural Society on July 2, 1833. This success led to Hussey patenting his machine on December 31, 1833.
While previous attempts at reaping machines had been made—including 33 English, 22 American, two French, and one German invention—Hussey's design was recognized as the first really practical reaping machine to be patented. In the United States, seventeen harvesting patents had been granted since 1803, but none had achieved the viability of Hussey's design.
The success of the Hussey reaper did not go unnoticed. In 1834, Cyrus McCormick read about the machine in Mechanics' Magazine and claimed he had invented and tested a similar machine in 1831. This sparked a rivalry that would last over twenty-five years. While McCormick had a working model early on, he did not patent it until 1834—six months after Hussey—and did not sell reapers commercially until at least 1839.
Throughout the mid-1830s, Hussey expanded his reach with successful demonstrations in New York, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. By 1838, he established Baltimore as the home of the Hussey reaper. However, the early 1840s brought challenges; gearing alterations in 1840 led to a decline in market confidence, and by 1842, increased competition from McCormick limited Hussey to selling only 10 machines.
Key Facts
- First Practical Patent: Obed Hussey patented the first truly practical reaping machine on December 31, 1833.
- The Rivalry: A quarter-century conflict existed between Obed Hussey and Cyrus McCormick over invention priority and market share.
- Technical Innovation: Hussey's "open-back guard fingers" prevented blades from choking by allowing straw particles to escape.
- Peak Production: Hussey's Baltimore factory reached a maximum output of 521 machines in 1855.
- Legal Victory: In 1859, a court awarded Hussey $80,000 in damages for McCormick's infringement of the 1847 patent.
The First "War of the Reapers" (1843–1850)
The tension between Hussey and McCormick culminated in 1843 in what became known as the first "War of the Reapers." The conflict centered on a series of competitive trials near Richmond, Virginia. Bad luck plagued Hussey during these events; a sudden rain shower rendered his machine unable to cut wet wheat during an impromptu meet, and a washed-out bridge prevented him from bringing his superior, larger machine to the main competition on June 30.
Despite these setbacks, a subsequent trial in tangled wheat showed that Hussey's machine was better suited for heavy wheat, even though the effort broke his sickle and rake. While McCormick won the majority of the sales following these contests, Hussey continued to find success in eastern markets, where his machine was frequently used as a mower.
By 1850, Hussey's machine had proven its worth, particularly in cutting grass—an area where McCormick's design struggled. However, by this time, the original patents for both men had expired, forcing them to compete in an open market against new entrants.
Global Expansion and the Second "War of the Reapers"
The rivalry moved to the international stage at the 1851 Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations (the first world's fair) in London's Crystal Palace. Initial trials were disastrous for Hussey because his machine was operated by an inexperienced agent who could not clear a clogged cutter. However, after Hussey arrived to personally supervise demonstrations, his reputation revived, and he even secured an order for two machines from Prince Albert.
Hussey continued to promote his reaper in France and Austria throughout the 1850s. While he achieved a "gratifying measure of success" at the International Exposition in Paris (1855), the top awards generally went to McCormick. In the United States, Hussey remained competitive in Maryland and North Carolina, but he could not match McCormick's industrial scale. Between 1848 and 1860, McCormick manufactured more than ten times as many machines as Hussey.
Production Comparison (1854–1860)
| Year | Machines Produced |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 385 |
| 1855 | 521 (Peak) |
| 1856 | 163 |
| 1857 | 95 |
| 1858 | 19 |
| 1859 | 10 |
| 1860 | 24 |
Patent Battles and Legal Legacy
Hussey's legal history was marked by missed deadlines and strategic victories. He failed to renew his original 1833 patent on time, missing the 30-day deadline by approximately 18 to 20 days. This meant he could only seek an extension through an act of Congress, which was ultimately never granted.
However, Hussey found success with a later invention: the open-back guard fingers, patented on August 7, 1847. This design featured openings at the back of the guard slots to allow straw and grass particles to escape, preventing the blades from choking. Hussey viewed this as the perfection of his reaper.
In 1857, Hussey obtained a reissue of this patent, combining the open-back guard with a vibrating scallop-edged cutter. He sued McCormick for infringement, and on September 19, 1859, the court ruled in Hussey's favor. Hussey was awarded $80,000 in damages and licensing fees. Shortly thereafter, he sold the 1847 patent rights to a syndicate of lawyers for $200,000, who subsequently adapted the technology for mowing machines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the first practical reaper?
While many attempted to build reaping machines, Obed Hussey is credited with patenting the first "really practical" reaping machine on December 31, 1833.
What was the main difference between the Hussey and McCormick reapers?
While both were viable, Hussey's machine was noted for being better at cutting grass and handling heavy wheat. Hussey also introduced the critical "open-back guard fingers" to prevent blade clogging.
Why did Hussey lose the first "War of the Reapers"?
Hussey suffered from poor timing and bad luck; rain interfered with his first trial, and a washed-out bridge prevented him from using his best machine during the main competition.
What were "open-back guard fingers"?
These were slots in the machine's guards that remained open at the back, allowing small pieces of straw or grass to escape rather than getting trapped and choking the blades.
Did Hussey ever win his legal battle against McCormick?
Yes. In 1859, a court ruled that McCormick had infringed on Hussey's 1847 patent for the combination of open-slotted guard fingers and a scalloped cutter, awarding Hussey $80,000.