Vintage Corn Planter
by David and Carol Kelly
Title
Vintage Corn Planter
Artist
David and Carol Kelly
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Henry Blair was born in Glen Ross, Maryland, in 1807. Blair was an African American farmer who patented two devices designed to help boost agricultural productivity. In so doing, he became the second African American to receive a United States patent. Blair died in 1860.
A successful farmer, Blair patented two inventions that helped him to boost his productivity. He received his first patent — for a corn planter — on October 14, 1834. The planter resembled a wheelbarrow, with a compartment to hold the seed and rakes dragging behind to cover them. This device enabled farmers to plant their crops more efficiently and enable a greater total yield. Blair signed the patent with an "X," indicating that he was illiterate.
Uploaded
April 20th, 2021
Embed
Share