The iconic American tractor and tractor supply company known as John Deere has been around since the early 1800s. The company has had a long and eventful history. They saw the Civil War, World War I, and World War II begin and end. Throughout the years, John Deere has introduced several innovations to the world of farming equipment. The iconic John Deere green and yellow trademark colors are still highly recognizable and influential today. Let’s explore John Deere history from the beginning.
The Beginning of John Deere
John Deere was a blacksmith who lived in Grand Detour, Illinois in the 1800s. In 1836, Deere heard neighboring farmers complaining that their plows, which thrived in the sandy eastern soil, were not suited to harvest the soil of the West. Responding quickly, Deere invented a highly polished steel plow from a broken saw blade. This plow was able to till the prairie soil without clogging, a major feat in that time period. The next year, Deere established Deere & Company and began marketing his plow to farmers in nearby towns.
By 1848, Deere had signed a partnership and moved his company and himself to Moline. Here, Deere had access to the Mississippi River, which he utilized to double his company’s production the following year. By shipping his equipment down the river, he was able to produce more, sell more, and grow his company.
Founder John Deere passed away in 1886 and his family took over the leadership role.
Consumer Market
The John Deere company first manufactured a line of consumer-targeted equipment in 1963. This line of equipment included lawn and garden tractors and several attachments. In 1971, John Deere stumbled upon their famous slogan, “Nothing Runs Like a Deere,” with the release of a line of snowmobiles. This line of snowmobiles was soon sold by the equipment company in 1984, but the slogan has lasted and transferred over to their tractors. Incredibly, these tractors seemingly stand the test of time and are often passed down generation to generation.
In 1992, the John Deere company introduced its first utility vehicle: the Gator. The 6X4 version of this vehicle hit the market promising the ability to haul 800 pounds and tow over 1,200 pounds. With over 500,000 built to date, John Deere Gators have proven to be durable and reliable.
A clothing line, skid steers, farm and yard equipment—both big and small— and even well-designed toy versions of such are all part of the John Deere product line today. A household name, and one that can be relied upon, a John Deere in your yard usually means you stand for quality.
Recent History
In 2012, the John Deere company celebrated its 175th anniversary. Since its first plow in 1836, this company has provided solutions to a variety of farmer’s needs. The “leaping deer” logo associated with John Deere is one of the most iconic American symbols. This logo has changed frequently over the years, but the company’s current green on yellow logo was created in 2000. A staple on many American farms, the John Deere tractors, Gators, machines, and equipment stand the test of time. The John Deere history is solid.
