Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Changing the world
Daniel best's invention of the combined harvester changed the world because it combined three differnt activitys into one so you could farm more ground in less time. If this wasnt invented just think how long it would take to harvest a field.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Personal life
On August 29 1872 Daniel Best married Meta Johanna Steinkamp in Marysville, Yuba County, California. They had nine children including Leo. He was barried at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland in 1923.
Retirement
In 1908, at the age of 70, Daniel retired. His son, Clarence Leo Best ("Leo"), continued in his father’s footsteps, and with his father still
giving advice, continued to experiment and improve on their tractors.
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| Clarence Leo Best |
Daniels Inventions
Over a time of forty-three years, Daniel Best received 41 patents, ranging from an improved washing machine to combine harvesters. His first invention was a portable grain cleaner and separator.
While continuing to produce grain cleaners Daniel began experimenting with the idea of combining grain harvesting, threshing( to seperate the grain or seeds) and cleaning in one machine. He was successful in 1885 when he sold his first horse-powered combined harvester. This new addition to his product line gave him the capital and the means to move onto the next major invention.
Daniel Best was always looking to improve, simplify, or create pieces of equipment that would ease operations. It began when he saw the need for an improved traction engine, what some now call a steam tractor, to pull his combine harvesters. He first purchased the rights to build a successful steam traction engine from Remington. He immediately began to make improvements until his engines were known as the strongest, most dependable, and longest-lasting engines in North America.
Around 1891, Daniel began to experiment with gas engines to replace the steam engines on his tractors. He developed his first gas-powered tractor in 1896. To prove its superiority, he staged a tug of war between his steam tractor and his new gas-powered engine. Not only did the gas-powered engine win, but it pulled the steam tractor around the block.
He received more and more orders from clients all around the world. At this time Daniel was selling $400,000 worth of machinery per year.
While continuing to produce grain cleaners Daniel began experimenting with the idea of combining grain harvesting, threshing( to seperate the grain or seeds) and cleaning in one machine. He was successful in 1885 when he sold his first horse-powered combined harvester. This new addition to his product line gave him the capital and the means to move onto the next major invention.
Daniel Best was always looking to improve, simplify, or create pieces of equipment that would ease operations. It began when he saw the need for an improved traction engine, what some now call a steam tractor, to pull his combine harvesters. He first purchased the rights to build a successful steam traction engine from Remington. He immediately began to make improvements until his engines were known as the strongest, most dependable, and longest-lasting engines in North America.
Around 1891, Daniel began to experiment with gas engines to replace the steam engines on his tractors. He developed his first gas-powered tractor in 1896. To prove its superiority, he staged a tug of war between his steam tractor and his new gas-powered engine. Not only did the gas-powered engine win, but it pulled the steam tractor around the block.
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| The tractor and combine |
LIFE IN THE WEST
The West changed Daniel Best’s life — but not how he expected. Along the way, he went from fighting Indians to being friends with them. Once the wagon train reached its destination, Daniel went his own way to try his hand at gold mining followed by working in sawmills and eventually building his own sawmill.
While working in his sawmill, an accident occurred that changed the course of his life; he lost the first three fingers of his left hand. He then moved to Sutter County, California to work with his brother Henry Best on his ranch where he discovered his calling as an inventor.
While working in his sawmill, an accident occurred that changed the course of his life; he lost the first three fingers of his left hand. He then moved to Sutter County, California to work with his brother Henry Best on his ranch where he discovered his calling as an inventor.
EARLY YEARS
Born March 20, 1838 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio
In 1839, Daniel Best’s father moved the family to Missouri. There he built a saw mill and cut lumber for the local pioneers to use in building their homes. The first nine years of Daniel's life were spent here and is where he received his interest in logging and machines.
In 1847, the family moved again to Lee County, Iowa, here they took up farming and raised stock. In 1859 Daniel, desiring adventure, and wanting to follow his brother, joined a wagon train heading west to Fort Walla Walla, Washington, employed as an ox tender and a sharpshooter.
In 1839, Daniel Best’s father moved the family to Missouri. There he built a saw mill and cut lumber for the local pioneers to use in building their homes. The first nine years of Daniel's life were spent here and is where he received his interest in logging and machines.
In 1847, the family moved again to Lee County, Iowa, here they took up farming and raised stock. In 1859 Daniel, desiring adventure, and wanting to follow his brother, joined a wagon train heading west to Fort Walla Walla, Washington, employed as an ox tender and a sharpshooter.
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