Uncle Sam calls Deere to battle In honor of Memorial Day, we remember and value our veterans…those who gave their all to protect our freedom.
From the Civil War to World War II, Deere & Company survived several significant battles on both foreign and American soils. Through the years, Deere’s management, employees, dealers and customers have played an important role in helping fight for our freedom. Deere factories turned to war effort production including ammunition, armored tractors, tank transmissions and other supplies. While war-time was turbulent and troubling, manufacturing and farming often saw positive effects with higher production from greater demand. The Civil War During the Civil War, an agricultural revolution of sorts occurred in the Midwest and West as farms grew larger in acreage with the aid of mechanical equipment. Although faced with low commodity prices in the early 1860s, farmers enjoyed good weather and abundant harvests along with crop failures overseas and a general food shortage for European residents and the army. This led to prosperous production for American farmers. Deere & Company did quite well during the Civil War period, although the firm was technically dissolved in 1860 when Charles Deere managed the "Moline Plow Manufactory."
By July 1864, the business again became Deere & Company and the "Hawkeye" riding cultivator became a prime product. It was the first such riding implement that left the farmer’s hands free to guide the team. Some advertising actually stated that "a one-arm or one-legged man can manage it." While it may seem morbid to say so, that was actually an important fact after the war as many men had lost limbs in battle or in accidents from crude farm machinery. In the postwar period of the late 1800s, Deere saw a great expansion of its product line. With plows, cultivators, harrows, drills/planters and wagons/buggies, Deere offered a wide variety of models to suit diverse situations across the country. World War I Things were relatively calm until World War I. Agricultural production experienced great growth on the heels of the slogan "Food Will Win the War." In fact, wheat production hit one billion bushels in 1915 — a level not reached again until World War II. Manufacturing did quite well, too. Before the U.S. entered the conflict in 1917, Deere dealt directly with governments of Allied countries, selling commissary and hospital equipment (ambulances, wagons, carts, etc) to France, for example. Then Deere began making combat and escort wagons for the U.S. War Department.
Deere employees also enlisted as active members of the armed forces. According to company records, a total of 1,611 of the estimated 7,500 employees saw active duty and 37 lost their lives. Many key management positions were also uprooted soon after the war. World War II The onset of World War II greatly affected equipment manufacturers such as John Deere. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the U.S. had no choice but to fight back. The Office of Production Management determined how much machinery manufacturers could sell to civilians and how much would go to the war effort. Steel shortages led to a nationwide drive for scrap to be recycled and preventive maintenance was encouraged to keep older equipment running. Deere’s factories switched gears to build everything from tank transmissions to laundry units. In addition to aircraft parts, Deere’s factories made 75-millimeter and 3-inch shells. They also assembled mobile laundry units. These "wheeled washing machines" helped prevent the disease disasters that commonly accompanied war. Starting in March 1942, Deere was a subcontractor to the Cleveland Tractor Company (makers of Cletracs) to help make MG-1 military tractors. Commonly called "bulldozers" (even without a front blade), these machines were put to work building roads and runways.
More than 4,500 Deere employees had entered military service by the end of the war, as had many of the farmers across the country. Even Charles Wiman was forced to leave his position as president of Deere & Company to serve as a colonel in the tank and combat vehicle division of the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Corps. The end of the war brought significant changes to both employees and management at Deere & Company. Strikes and labor conflicts gave Deere a new battle to fight…right in its own backyard. However, demand for tractors was higher than ever following World War II. Postwar production demands led to profitable farming and a farm equipment manufacturing boom as well. Both augured well for Deere & Company. Next week, The Green Girl studies parts boxes and bags, cartons and cans. Even smudged with oily and greasy fingerprints, these parts and packages are finding their way out of the garbage can and onto collector’s shelves.
Text Ý © 2001 Brenda Kruse. Photos by Brenda Kruse unless otherwise noted. |
