The Genesis of the Lawnmower

Of all the inventions associated with that period we call the “industrial revolution”, the lawn mower is for many a mere footnote.

The basic details of its invention are generally well known among enthusiasts and garden historians. It was invented by Edwin Beard Budding who was born and lived in the area around Stroud in Gloucestershire, England during the first half of the 19th century.

Various books and online sources have retold this basic story. But nobody has ever made a concerted effort to dig into the finer details of the circumstances of why the lawnmower was invented at that time and at that place.

Until now.

For the first time, this new section of our website aims to bring together in one place details and information about the industries and personalities that led to the invention of the lawnmower in 1830. As we shall see, Budding drew inspiration from the major industries in the area at that time. This is no surprise as many inventions are based on ideas and technologies that already exist. What makes an “invention” is the ability to apply these concepts in new ways and the foresight to see potential in the use of the result. 

The invention of the lawnmower, it could be argued, led to fundamental changes in society. For the first time it was possible to manage large areas of grassland economically and conveniently. This meant that people could create and manage lawns for leisure at home, in civic parks for improved public health and recreation, and at sporting venues for the growing number of organised sports.

This first section in our project covers the period up to and including the invention of the lawnmower. In future instalments we will be covering the years that followed as new manufacturers and designs emerged. In doing so we have uncovered some interesting and hopefully useful information that helps tell the story with new perspectives.

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