OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Curios and Stories PATENT - DURKEE - 1925 - Some Thoughts

Hello ODK members,

In looking at the history of mowers and the controversial question of,
"who was the first to ..." I have decided that the issue is definitional.

If we want to discuss, "Who invented the rotary mower," then we must define
what we mean by "rotary mower". It's not a simple approach.

It may be that the answer lies in a series of innovations and their published patents.

Here I would like to discuss the fascinating DURKEE PATENT.1656105
Frederick M. Durkee lodged a patent on December 24, 1925;
the patent being approved on January 10, 1928.

The patent was for a "Cutting Machine for Grass and the Like."

Durkee said: "It is an object of the invention to produce a machine of the above class which is
light and simple in structure, yet durable, and which may be propelled and directed and with
such ease that a child can operate it."

Weren't words like 'lightweight', 'simple' and 'a child can use it' used in 1950's mower advertising?

The patent continues:
"It is a further object of the invention to produce a grass cutter which operates to the
reverse direction, and wherein the cutting members operate independently of a cutting bar
or back board..."

Didn't Victa and others advertise that rotaries would operate forward or reverse?
This patent depicts rotary cutting action: it required,
"a scythe action rather than a 'cutting bar' or bottom block"

Most interestingly, the patent envisages that, "the cutting movement thereof creates
favourable drafts of air ..." that, "generated air currents which caused the growth
to be straightened up".

This is an early patent for a rotary mower. It sets out the rotary action and its
advantages. It introduces the idea of fluted blades that create lift.

The only thing I didn't tell you is that this machine has multiple blade holders.

All very interesting.
--------------------------------------
JACK

Hi ODK members,

I was surprised to find that the Durkee machine did receive some publicity in Australia . . .
This article taken from The World News, November 19, 1927.
It also appears that the machine made it into production in the USA.

All very interesting.
-----------------------------------
JACK