Hello
ODK History Lovers
The
Presto was an early Australian-made side-wheel hand mower.
The lawnmower represents one of the first lawnmowers that started the Australian
lawnmower industry, and it was manufactured by the firm of
William Adams & Company of Sydney.
NOTE: The Australian Adams
Presto should not be confused with the English 'Presto',
made by Arundel, Coulthard & Company of Preston, Lancashire. There is no connection.
The Presto made its appearance in the last quarter of 1932.
Here are two of the earliest records I have found, both from late 1932:-
The Presto was dubbed in advertising as
"The Magic Mower"; hence the name
Presto, meaning, "So suddenly that magic seems involved".
Presto was a
clever name because of its double meaning: its main feature was that it was a
'pressed' steel lawnmower, rather than the much more common cast iron framed
machines of the day.
TO BE CONTINUED ...