History of the Garden Tools Patent

Garden tools have been around as long as humans have been cultivating crops - almost 10,000 years. During the Bronze Age, legacy tools were reinvented using metal, making them more sturdy and reliable. These gardening and farming tools became essential, especially for sowing seeds. Shovels, hoes, and spades were among a person’s most important and prized possessions and were often passed down in wills.

Roman Gardening Tools

A clue into some of the most important tools for ancient European gardeners can be found in a note written by Alexander Neckam in 1190. His list included suggestions for a complete peasant’s shed - broad bladed long knives, a spade and shovel, a seed box, 2 baskets, a trap for vermin, snare for wolves, and a wheelbarrow.

Ancient Gardening Tools

By 1388, the suggested list included a long handle scythe and two small sickles. These tools became popular for harvesting home grown crops, removing weeds, and cutting through tough roots.

 

At the turn of the 18th century, the industrial revolution made these coveted tools much easier to come by as manufacturing costs dropped. As costs dropped, manufacturing innovation increased rapidly, giving way to some unnecessary inventions - cucumber straighteners and cactus sheers.

Industrial Revolution

While these gratuitous creations were typically reserved for larger estates, the industrial revolution positively impacted poorer households as they were finally able to access crucial farming tools at reasonable prices. Outside of continued specialized tools, garden implements experienced little innovation after the industrial revolution.

 

In 2000, Joseph Fornelli of Park Ridge, Illinois was granted a patent for a novel garden tool design. His patent covered garden tools with an elongated handle that made it easier for people to apply leverage to the garden tool. So far, this is Fornelli’s only patent.

Check out the patent

Garden Tools Patent


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