Edwin Beard Budding patents the lawn mower

Background. Edwin Beard Budding was an engineer born in Eastington, Stroud, Gloucestershire. The concept for the lawn mower arose from observing a machine in a local cloth mill that used a cutting cylinder to trim woolen cloth. Budding realized this mechanism could be adapted for grass if mounted on a wheeled frame, allowing blades to rotate close to the lawn surface.

Patent and Commercial Agreement. Budding's mower was designed primarily for sports grounds and extensive gardens as an alternative to the scythe. A British patent was granted on 31 August 1830. Prior to this, an agreement dated 18 May 1830 between Budding and John Ferrabee established that Ferrabee would pay development costs, obtain letters of patent, and acquire rights to manufacture, sell, and license the production of lawn mowers.

Legacy and Licensing. Examples of early Budding-type mowers are preserved in Stroud Museum, the London Science Museum, and Milton Keynes Museum. Although the patent was granted, Budding and Ferrabee allowed other companies to build copies under license. Ransomes of Ipswich was the most successful licensee, beginning production as early as 1832.