Cyrus McCormick
A businessman and inventor of the mechanical reaper
Real World Example
Cyrus McCormick was an American inventor and businessman who created the mechanical reaper, a machine that greatly improved the efficiency of harvesting crops. His invention played a significant role in the Agricultural Revolution, allowing farmers to harvest more grain with less labor, which helped feed the growing population during westward expansion. McCormick's reaper transformed agriculture, leading to increased food production and contributing to the economic growth of the United States. Today, his legacy lives on in modern farming equipment, which continues to boost agricultural productivity worldwide. For example, the efficiency of today's combine harvesters, which evolved from the reaper, allows farmers to manage vast fields more effectively, keeping food prices lower and more stable for everyone.
