The Plow

The plow is one of the oldest and most important inventions in farming. It breaks up hard ground so seeds can grow. A plow has a sharp blade that cuts into the dirt. Long ago, animals like oxen pulled plows through fields.

The First Plows

The first plows were made thousands of years ago. They were simple sticks or branches with a sharp point. People in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia used them. Over time, plows got stronger and made of metal.

A child guides a buffalo pulling a plow through the field.
A child guides a buffalo pulling a plow through the field. (Paulrudd / Wikimedia Commons)

Modern Plows

Today most plows are pulled by tractors instead of animals. Modern plows can work much faster and dig deeper. They help farmers grow more food in less time. Some farmers now use special plows that harm the soil less.

Fun Facts

  • The steel plow was invented by John Deere in 1837.
  • Ancient plows are shown in Egyptian wall paintings.
  • Good plowing can make soil healthier for crops.

Did You Know?

Before steel plows, farmers had to stop often to clean sticky dirt off wooden ones, which made work very slow.