Biography and pictures of john lawn mowers

In May 1899, John Albert Burr, an African American inventor from Maryland, patented very innovative technology that is still being used today in modern-day lawn mowers. He did not invent the first lawn mower, but he did design a lawn mower with traction wheels and rotary blades that would not get easily clogged up from grass and weeds.

He also drastically improved the lawn mower's design making it possible to mow closer to buildings and wall edges.

All in all, Burr held over 30 U.S. patents for lawn care and agricultural inventions. In fact, even today's mulching power lawn mowers are part of his legacy.

John A. Burr, Inventor born - African American Registry

Born in 1848, he was enslaved along with his parents, but they were later released during emancipation. As a slave, John worked as a field laborer during his teenage years. After emancipation, his engineering talents were later recognized by wealthy Black activists who provided h John Deere Riding lawn mower Lawn Mowers at PODAW