"The Original Iowa Tractor Boy"

In 1892, John Froelich invented the first successful gasoline powered engine. He operated a wheat threshing rig which required a steam engine to power the threshing machine. Because of the prairie fire hazard of these behemoth wood fired steam engines, John developed the gasoline powered engine. To learn more about this accomplishment, please visit:

http://www.froelichtractor.com/tractor.htm

This is an image of this gasoline traction engine, as it was known then. It is in a local museum in Froelich, Iowa in Clayton County. This tractor concept was then purchased by a group of investors in Waterloo, Iowa and the gasoline powered tractor was known at "The Waterloo Boy."

Shown here is a 1892 Froelich Traction Tractor. You will note that this was the tractor on display on the 100th anniversary.

The Burlingame General Store in Froelich, Iowa, which is now the mecca of Iowa Farm Boys who are visiting Froelich, Iowa to acquire information about the "Original Iowa Tractor Boy."

This image was taken on Sunday, July 22, 2007 as a Tractorcade was being assembled to travel from Froelich, Iowa to Clear Lake, Iowa. The Tractorcade is sponsored by a radio station in Clear Lake. What a neat way to highlight the accomplishments of John Froelich and the importance of the gasoline traction engine first built in 1892. You will note that there are tractors in this picture that are not green and yellow. We all know that the green and yellow colors belong on John Deere Tractors and other Farm Equipment. You must also know that the Waterloo Boy Tractor Company was later purchased by the John Deere Company in 1918 for $2,350,000.00.

Now you know the early history of the John Deere Tractor Company and the very first Iowa Tractor Boy of Froelich, Iowa. Should you be motivated to learn more and also see first hand the activities the annual celebration in Froelich, Iowa which is held during the last weekend of September please be aware that the original Traction Engine through the lastest John Deere Tractor will be on display.The "Flower Child" gratefully acknowledges that the pictures contained in this Blog were acquired by a member of the Family on Sunday, July 22, 2007. Froelich, Iowa is a mere seventeen miles from the birthplace of "Flower Child" near Clayton, Iowa.