Lawn Mower’s Past Is Cut and Dried

It’s hard to believe the first lawn mowers were designed in the 1830s in England. The mower, patented by Edwin Board Budding, had curved blades in a cutting cylinder that is still the basic idea of a mower. The earliest mowers were made of wrought iron and were either pushed with a long handle or pulled by a horse. Then, as now, it was best to cut the grass when it was dry to avoid ruts or grass sticking to the blades.

Although later inventors tried making mowers with three wheels or rollers and different types of blades, almost every one can be easily identified today as a mower. Lawn mowers that date back to the 1800s are rare today and sell for thousands of dollars if in good condition. Mowers from the first quarter of the 20th century are usually worth hundreds of dollars.

Motorized mowers were first made in the 1890s. Smaller, lightweight mowers became common by the 1920s. Electric motors were first used in the 1920s. Mowers with plastic parts were made after the 1960s and have little value.

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Q I recently toured a house built in the 1850s. It is a museum now. I was surprised to see patterned wall-to-wall carpeting in the parlor, dining room and largest bedroom. I thought wall-to-wall carpeting didn’t become popular until the 1950s.

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A Wall-to-wall carpeting was used in some of the finest American homes as early as the late 1700s. Until the mid-1800s, most of these carpets were imported from England. They were either Brussels carpets, with a loop pile, or Wilton carpets, with a more expensive cut pile. Carpets that covered the whole floor remained popular until the 1880s. They became popular again after World War II, when many houses were built with inexpensive plywood floors that had to be covered with carpet.

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Q My modern glass turquoise vase has a paper label that reads, “Blenko Handcraft.” Where was it made?

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A Blenko Glass Co. was founded in 1921 in Milton, W. Va., by William John Blenko. In 1929, the company hired two Swedish glassmakers to teach the glass workers how to make handmade glass. Some of the early modern designs are still being made. Blenko also made reproductions of old patterns. The company is still making modern glassware.