Where was the gasoline tractor invented?

The world's first successful gasoline-powered tractor was invented in Charles City, Iowa, USA, by Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr in 1901. Together, they founded the Hart-Parr Tractor Company, which became a pioneer in the tractor industry.

Before this invention, agricultural machinery primarily relied on steam power, which was heavy, expensive, and difficult to maintain. Hart and Parr revolutionized the industry by using internal combustion engine technology to create a lighter, more efficient, and user-friendly gasoline-powered tractor. This invention significantly improved farming efficiency and marked the beginning of modern agricultural mechanization. The term “tractor” itself was first popularized by the Hart-Parr company.

Today, Charles City is recognized as the birthplace of the tractor and is home to the Hart-Parr/Oliver Tractor Museum, preserving the legacy of this groundbreaking innovation.