March 16, 2004 > Test Your Hardware IQ

1. The first lawnmower was the result of a machine designed to:
   
   
   
   1. Shear sheep
      
   2. Cut hair
      
   3. Grind coffee
      
   4. Cut velvet nap.
      
   
   
   

2. The first American lawnmower, called the "Archimedean" used how many blades? What was the problem with this mower?
   
   

3. What hit the market in 1902 that energized the lawnmower market?
   
   
   
   1. Steam powered mowers were introduced
      
   2. Lawns became popular with homeowners
      
   3. Gas powered lawnmowers were introduced
      
   4. Rubber tires were put on lawnmowers
      
   
   

4. In 1971, an invention changed trimming and gardening chores dramatically. What was it?
   
   
   

Answers:

1. 1. d. Edward Budding at a Gloucestershire, England textile mill invented a cutting machine to shear the nap off velvet. This led to the invention of the lawnmower.
   
2. The "Archimedean" used a single blade but was extremely noisy
   
3. c. Gas powered lawnmowers
   
4. The Weed Eater using fishing line as a cutting edge. It was patented by Thomas N. Geist and George C. Ballas