John Deere, an inventor born in Vermont, is inducted for his role in the development of a durable steel plow that could conquer the tough and sticky soils of the Corn Belt. This agricultural development eased the labors of homesteaders while dramatically increasing crop production.

In 1837, Deere moved from Vermont to Grand Detour, Illinois to start a blacksmith shop with his partner, Leonard Andrus. They fashioned the first Deere-Andrus plow prototype in 1838 using wrought iron and steel cut from a broken saw to form an advanced moldboard and share. Gradually refining the moldboard shape and trying new steels, the partners were able to make one-thousand plows annually by 1846.

A world famous farm machinery company grew out of the partners’ success. In 1846, Mr. Deere sold out to Mr. Andrus and moved to Moline, Illinois. There he started a new company, which was incorporated as Deere & Company in 1868.

Still searching for suitable steel to accomplish his vision, Deere ordered enough plow steel from England in 1846 to make fifty plows. These models were sent all over the country on trial. The success of these trial models led to Deere’s negotiations with a Pittsburgh steel company to eventually produce the first self-polishing steel plow entirely manufactured in America, thus launching the enduring notoriety of the “green and yellow” Deere & Company.